Top:

The new facility at Oxford University Press

Middle:

Sir Roger Bannister officially opens the new fitness facility at Oxford University Press

Bottom:

Sir Roger Bannister with David Brame (left), MD

of Bladerunner and

Steve Mathers (right),

FD of Bladerunner

New facility at Oxford University Press

Stewart Pegum, Head of Property and Facilities at OUP, believes that Bladerunner’s proposed plans were the most cost-effective. “What impressed us most was that Bladerunner could handle everything, from design and build, through to equipment fit-out, staffing and implementation of the website and ancillary treatments.”

The new facility will provide an opportunity for OUP to extend its benefits offered to staff and will enhance the employee well-being programmes and work-related health and safety initiatives.

Bladerunner has worked closely with OUP on the concept, design and completion of the facility.  David Brame, Bladerunner Managing Director, said: “We have invested in the latest equipment to create a high-quality environment and we expect up to 500 members to join – almost 50% of the workforce.  This project is a prime example of how Bladerunner works in partnership with its clients to design and build a facility that is not only to an exceptional standard, but is also completed on time and to budget.”

The Gym at Deloitte reaches 2,000 members

Operated and managed by Bladerunner, the facility offers Deloitte employees state-of-the-art fitness equipment, a modern, stylish environment and a fantastic range of studio-based classes which today’s gym users have come to expect.  Working closely with architects, Swanke Hayden Connell, as well as the client, Bladerunner managed the complete design and build of the former basement.  The Gym comprises the very latest equipment from Life Fitness, including 41 pieces of CV equipment, 17 pieces of resistance equipment and a 20-station gym spin circuit.

Imogen Elkin, a member of The Gym, commented: “I have been a member of other commercial gyms which have often been overcrowded, overheated and the staff were often rude.  The Gym has been the complete opposite. It has been an absolute pleasure to use; it is always clean, all the staff are incredibly friendly and the classes have been great. All the instructors have been very professional and one in particular has motivated me to continue coming to early morning classes as part of my training for a half-marathon.”

“We are delighted that The Gym is proving to be a great success for Deloitte, but this does not mean that our job is done,” said Keith Osborne, Operations Director.  “We are constantly looking at ways to provide additional services to members.” For example, Bladerunner will be working with the Deloitte WellNow initiative to promote healthy living by offering relaxation classes in The Gym and provide staff with mini head massages at their desks to support the initiative’s anti-stress campaign.

No-risk solutions to combat the credit crunch

Bladerunner’s flexible approach to funding means that there are several commercial options available – often at no risk to the client – which can ensure that staff continue to enjoy the benefits of such services without cost to the employer.

For an organisation which has more than 1,200 staff members on site, Bladerunner can undertake the complete commercial operation of the fitness facility without any risk to the client. Mandy McCracken, Business Development Manager, explained: “We are finding that as fitness facility management contracts come up for renewal, many organisations are coming to us to run their sites as a commercial business. We therefore undertake the risk, handling everything from membership payments, marketing and club management, whilst the client does not need to pay a management fee but may have a share in the profit. This can work extremely well for many businesses, especially where a facility may also require investment into new equipment, refurbishment or re-branding.”

For any company that is looking to renew its fitness facility management contract, Bladerunner could provide a no-risk solution that will ease the financial burden, yet still look after employees, over the difficult times ahead. For more information, please contact us on 01462 705050 or email enquiries@bladerunner.co.uk

Bladerunner creates a real buzz at Cable and Wireless

Opened in October 2008, one member has already commented: “The classes are jam-packed and buzzing and everyone is reaching new fitness levels. I have never been fitter, leaner or stronger!”

Bladerunner won the tender for the existing fitness facility management contract and has invested in re-branding, refurbishing and equipping all three sites to give Cable and Wireless a strong corporate wellness identity.  In addition to the improved facilities, an interactive intranet system was also introduced, allowing members to access details of class times, opening hours, nutritional advice and wellness surveys. Paul Edmondson, Regional Manager at Bladerunner, said: “The intranet system is very much in keeping with Cable and Wireless’ environmental policy to reduce use of paper as well as to give members easy access to all the information they need. We are very pleased that members are so enthusiastic and involved in the facilities and it is clear that they are benefiting from the results already.”

Alan Knott, Category Manager at Cable and Wireless, added: “Bladerunner has delivered exactly what they promised – and so much more. The team, mobilisation and overall delivery of the fitness provision have been very professional.”

Just one click for well-informed members

and greater efficiency

With just a click of a button the new myhealthclub.org website service provides instant access for members to health, fitness and nutrition advice as well as full details of the client’s corporate gym facilities.  Members can download membership forms, access booking times for classes and get advice on stress management, posture and diet.

“As more and more of our clients seek to implement environmentally-friendly initiatives, we have developed an innovative way that easily fits in with their objectives,” said David Brame, Managing Director at Bladerunner.  “There is now no need for high usage levels of paper for promotional materials, forms, notices, etc. Everything can be accessed from an employee’s desktop, giving them all the advice and information they need.”

The myhealthclub.org website is branded and tailor-made to each client’s corporate fitness facility and is an educational tool to help employees take responsibility for their own health and well-being. Already implemented at several client sites, Bladerunner plans to roll out the initiative to all its clients during 2009.

For more information about myhealthclub.org contact us on 01462 705050 or email enquiries@bladerunner.co.uk