White a year for Ennis Complex

ENNIS Leisure Complex was this week presented with the prestigious 2011/2012 White Flag Award.

ENNIS Leisure Complex was this week presented with the prestigious 2011/2012 White Flag Award.
The White Flag, developed by the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM) is the only comprehensive quality award for leisure facilities in Ireland. It  recognises standards of excellence in health and leisure facilities and is aimed at sports halls, fitness studios, health suites, spas, gyms and swimming pools.
Ennis Leisure Complex is among nine facilities throughout the country and the only one in Clare to have received the White Flag every year since the award scheme’s inception in 2001.
In addition to the White Flag, the complex has received a Silver Disability Provision Award for the first time. A disability access audit is conducted on each facility entered for the award, which was introduced in 2005 by the ILAM in partnership with The Irish Wheelchair Association and Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland.
The ILAM Awards were presented this week to Tim Forde, general manager Ennis Leisure Complex, by Mayor of Ennis Councillor Michael Guilfoyle and Mayor of Clare Councillor Pat Hayes.
According to Mr Forde, “We are delighted to have retained the White Flag for the 11th successive year. Considerable time and effort continues to be invested in ensuring the range of facilities available at the complex meet the highest standards set out by the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management.
“The White Flag Scheme has established itself as the quality mark that all leisure facilities must strive to achieve and it is endorsed by Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF). By achieving the benchmark for highest standards within the health and leisure industry, the retention of the White Flag is a vote of confidence in the range and quality of services provided by Ennis Leisure Complex, including the 25m public swimming pool, state-of-the-art gymnasium, and various training and fitness programmes,” he added.
The White Flag Awards are judged by an independent jury made up of experts from a number of nationally recognised organisations including Fáilte Ireland, HSE, Irish Hotels Federation, Consumer Association, Swim Ireland and Irish Water Safety. Judging is rigorous ensuring that gym instructors and lifeguards are fully qualified, facilities are safe, clean and hygienic and that equipment is maintained correctly.
Ennis Leisure Complex was redeveloped in 2000 and currently employs 25 people.