STRATFORD Park Leisure Centre has been given an ‘excellent’ status by a leading quality scheme.

The leisure centre in Stratford Road, Stroud, has achieved an ‘excellent’ rating in a tough assessment by Sport England’s leading national quality scheme, Quest.

Quest is the best-known improvement programme within the leisure industry and its rigorous assessments challenge even the very best leisure centres in the UK.

In order to achieve Quest Plus, staff at Stratford Park Leisure Centre went through a comprehensive two day assessment and mystery visit process.

General manager Dan Coleman said: “We are very proud to be recognised as an excellent centre.

“This is a fantastic achievement and a real team effort.

“Quest is much more than a tick-box exercise, it is an ongoing programme to improve our facility for both staff and customers, and a great way to demonstrate our achievements.”

Quest’s operations director, Caroline Constantine, said: “Quest Plus is a step up from the entry-level accreditation and as such is a more demanding process.

“By meeting Quest’s high standards for excellent centres, Stratford Park Leisure Centre has shown its commitment to providing quality facilities and service to all of its customers.

“In these tough economic times it is more important than ever that local leisure facilities can demonstrate their value and Quest helps them to do just that.”

Last year the leisure centre also received a bronze at the Health Club Awards.

The awards attracted more than 500 entries from many leisure centres across the UK, which are then judged by the clubs’ own members.

Everyone Active runs the leisure centre for Stroud District Council.