West Lothian Leisure has operated over the last 20 years as your local charitable community leisure trust. Over this time the charity has invested more than £14 million to improve the facilities and services it offers to the community. The charity, which works in partnership with West Lothian Council, operates Xcite Venues and more recently Howden Park Arts Centre, Low Port Outdoor Centre, Polkemment Golf and Driving Range as well as leisure facilities in local secondary schools across West Lothian.
The trust model reinvests every penny of surplus generated each year back into local community services and facilities. As a member of Community Leisure UK, the association of charitable culture and leisure trusts, it supports the retention and development of public leisure and cultural facilities and services.
Cate Atwater, Chief Executive of Community Leisure UK, explained: “The charitable trust model has helped to protect and develop our public leisure services in tough economic times, ensuring every penny of surplus generated goes back into your community. Communities need local public leisure services delivered by those who put the needs of their locality first”.
West Lothian Leisure continually works with local partners to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the community, breaking down barriers to social inclusion and supporting all ages.
Robin Strang, Chief Executive of West Lothian Leisure, stated: “We are proud to have served the communities of West Lothian for over 20 years and look forward to continuing to do so for many years to come. Our passion is to support local people to make healthy lifestyle choices and to reach their goals. The community trust model is an ideal way to do this as we only have charitable aims and are non-profit distributing”.