FIFE’S leading leisure facility provider welcomed more than two million people through its doors in the last year, according to new figures.

Figures released by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust – launched in 2008 to operate and manage Fife Council’s 14 facilities across the region – for April 2019 to March 2020, show that there were over 2.5 million attendances to its centres, up 0.62 per cent on the previous year.

The organisation’s annual report also showed attendances at outdoor facilities increased by 4.31 per cent, recording the highest attendances in its 12 years, largely as a result of use of synthetic turf pitches, and attendances by over 60s up by 4.09 per cent, the ninth consecutive year that older adults are getting active in increasing numbers.

A health and physical activity programme, funded through investment by the trust, continued its commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of communities across Fife. Active Options 2, a referral-based programme for people living with long-term health conditions, saw 99 weekly classes delivered with attendances in excess of 40,000.

There was also a £22,500 support from Fife Health and Social Care Partnership which allowed the trust to support those living with dementia to access physical activity.

Customers continued to benefit from the trust’s expanded online booking system with applications to its affordable membership scheme, Leisure Active, up by 12 per cent and an increase in attendances with 775,000 visits by members, up 2.9 per cent from the previous year.

Despite a challenging year from increased competition from the private sector and extensive refurbishment programmes, and the impact of the COVID lockdown in March, Carnegie Leisure Centre, Dalgety Bay Leisure Centre and Levenmouth Swimming and Sports Centre recorded increases in attendances.

The figures are being released as the trust has delivered its phased re-opening programme with 13 of its sites now open with health and safety and social distancing protocols in place.

Customer feedback shows a positive reaction from customers following the re-opening of centres, with customer surveys showing that 98 per cent of those who have visited facilities satisfied that on arrival there are adequate social distancing and health and safety measures in place.

A total of 97 per cent are happy with the protocols for their chosen activity and 97 per cent report that staff are helpful and well-informed about the new Covid-19 measures.