Leading leisure operator Sheffield International Venues Ltd (SIV) has announced a record annual turnover of £21m - demonstrating a substantial six per cent rise on the previous year.
Despite facing numerous challenges in the last 12 months, including the summer's floods, tough budgets and the impact of extensive improvement work to its facilities, the company's performance exceeded all expectations.
SIV, which manages high profile sports and leisure facilities including Ponds Forge, Don Valley Stadium, Hillsborough Leisure Centre and Sheffield City Hall, also managed to beat its annual budget for 2007-08 by more than £226,000.
SIV facilities which performed significantly better than budget included the English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Ponds Forge and Sheffield City Hall.
Reasons for the organisation's impressive performance this year include record attendances which saw a staggering 3.75 million people go through SIV facilities' doors - an impressive nine per cent increase on last year's figures.
Chief executive Steve Brailey and his team of almost 1,000 permanent and temporary staff have focused on four strategy areas to help achieve the success.
He said: "SIV has four objectives - to increase participation, maximise the potential of the venues and the people using them, raise the image and profile of Sheffield, and add to the economic prosperity of the city.
"We have been successful in all four objectives. Not only have we seen an increase in the number of people taking part in sporting activities, we have also seen more people involved in our development and coaching programmes. Many athletes in a wide range of sports are training hard to take part in London 2012 or in Beijing this summer.
The sports events held in SIV venues over the year generated more than 50,000 bed nights and provided a significant boost to the visitor economy across the region.
Steve added: "I am extremely proud of our achievements in recent months and believe we have succeeded in meeting our ambitions of making a valid economical contribution to Sheffield as well as continuing to keep the city firmly on the sporting map.
"It has been a tough year financially with tough budgets and big challenges, but thanks to our driven and committed employees, we have been successful in turning these obstacles into a success.
"Our aim for the future is to continue the excellent work in the midst of trying economic circumstances which Britain is facing. We will continue to work to control costs, drive income and put our customers' needs first."
To mark its success SIV hosted an employee awards evening in recognition of their continued hard work. Three times national Centre of the Year winner Hillsborough Leisure Centre was awarded Venue of the Year, Employee of the Year went to Brian Cory from Sheffield City Hall, Sarah Webb from Don Valley Stadium was named Innovator of the Year while Manager of the Year was human resources payroll manager Lorraine Tuffnell. Business Partner of the Year was the Sheffield Scimitars Junior Ice Hockey Club.
Dave Goodwin, grounds maintenance supervisor at Don Valley Stadium was rewarded for 30 years service, EISS manager Paul Hudson was recognised for his 20 years at various venues while John and Mal Rowbotham retired from The Enfield public house.