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Chris loves his
work indoors!
This month pembrokeshiresport.co.uk is delighted to chat to Chris Payne, who is Leisure Services Manager for Pembrokeshire County Council and is responsible for providing most of the indoor sporting facilities in the county, and relishes the challenge of encouraging us as the general public to use them as often as possible.
When we asked Chris to meet us he was delighted to oblige and faced all our questions with openness and enthusiasm which demonstrates that he is totally committed to the cause and enjoys working with staff that he appreciates, and the public.
Before we ask you about your role in indoor sport can you tell us a little about your sporting background?
For someone who looks after a great deal of indoor sporting activity I have to confess that most of my own leisure time has been confined to the great outdoors, especially the sea! I swam a lot when I was growing up, I took up surfing in my early teens and over the years I have surfed a lot of breaks around the world and I am still very passionate about surfing, and I still surf all the year round.
When I was younger I surfed for Wales and in the past I’ve won the Welsh Seniors Men’s and Welsh Masters titles but now just do it for the pleasure of riding the waves and feeling the thrill of speed and power they generate. It is very exhilarating when it goes well – you should try it sometime!
Indoors, I played basketball for the RAF, where I could use my 6 feet 5 inch frame to good effect but you have to be young and fit for that – so I’ve discovered another sporting activity which is great fun on the water. I’ve become a member of Little Haven Rowing Club and I row in a Celtic Longboat which is mainly for recreation but we have taken part in the Thames Race (21 miles) and over in Ireland for the Cork Ocean to City Race, which is slightly shorter at about 17 miles. I also run and cycle and use our fitness suites on a regular basis.
Can we ask how you came to Pembrokeshire?
I came with the RAF to Brawdy, fell in love with the county, the people and the coastline – and I am still here today. That was as long ago as 1973 so I feel like a local now, having started out as a lifeguard with Preseli District Council. I progressed to being a swimming instructor and then duty officer, working at the old outdoor pool on The Rath in Milford Haven, at the indoor pool in the town and in Neyland. We were thrilled when the leisure centre opened in Milford Haven, with all its brand-new facilities for the town, and I was the first manager there, a position I held for almost a decade and worked with some excellent staff who worked well as a team and gave total commitment. Most of them are still there today and are just as enthusiastic.
How has your career progressed from there?
When reorganisation came in 1995 I was promoted to Leisure Services Manager where my remit includes all the authority’s indoor sports facilities, outdoor artificial pitches and the athletic track at STP School, to mention just a few.
We also look after Beaches and Water Safety, the Lifeguard Service (now in a productive partnership with the RNLI), beach awards like the Blue Flag accreditation which has seen ten new beaches able to fly the coveted flag, plus the Green Coast award for rural beaches like Abereiddi and Barafundle, awarded in recognition of their pristine condition. It is a lot of work involving a lot of people but very worthwhile.
What about the development of Leisure Centres?
In 2002 Pembrokeshire County Council put out its Leisure Facility Strategy with a strong commitment from Mark Lewis, the Director of Finance and Leisure, to develop the leisure facilities in our county. Since then we have been involved in updating the leisure centres at Pembroke, Milford Haven, Tenby and Crymych – and built the superb leisure centre at Fishguard which has its own swimming pool, artificial pitch, sports hall and fitness suite which is benefitting the communities of Fishguard, Goodwick and North Pembrokeshire as a whole.
We are chatting in the new leisure centre in Haverfordwest – are you pleased with it?
I’m delighted with it, having been involved since the planning stages in 2007 and being able to watch it take shape until it is now open and being used by the community. We were thrilled to have Joe Allen officially open it because he is a young man from Pembrokeshire who is making the grade in football at Swansea City.
There was a project manager, Steve Owens, involved in the building but we had a large say in specifications like having a 25 metre pool with eight lanes and a moveable floor, which allows flexibility in the pool’s use, whilst the learner’s pool alongside is fantastic. The pools are used from early mornings through to closing times and cater for the general public, schools, aqua aerobics, the elite swimming squads and even octopush!
What other facilities have you incorporated?
The list could have been endless but we have a whole range of facilities where quality is the keynote. We have a Sports Hall which incorporates facilities for Haverfordwest Gymnastics Club and a cracking Dance Studio which also caters for aerobics and exercise classes – plus a Fitness Suite on two levels which not only caters for those who really like exercise but is also used for GP Referrals and cardiac Rehabilitation. The equipment of offer in this area is really top of the range but is worth it because it is already being well used.
There is a purpose-built crèche, meeting rooms and an excellent cafe which has been very popular already, whilst we have really worked hard to make sure that the changing rooms are top-notch and meet the needs of the public, schools and other organisations.
What about ambitions for the future?
Mine tend now to revolve around success for the Leisure Services because we employ almost 200 staff across the county and I want to see them feeling fulfilled work-wise. The County Council is committed to what is a non-statutory service and really believe we can make a difference to people’s life styles if they give us a chance. I want to encourage everyone to take some form of exercise and we would like to help reduce obesity in children as part of a more active lifestyle but it is no good preaching about it – we can only succeed by encouragement when people come to see what we have to offer.
I also want to see staff develop their qualifications and experience. We are taking part in the QUEST Programme, which recognises quality improvement and Milford Haven have already been successful with one of the highest scores at their first inspection, whilst Crymych have already been through two inspections and received the second highest marks in Wales.
I see a huge commitment from staff and it is a pleasure to be involved as one of a team – and when I eventually retire I can look back on being part of indoor sport in Pembrokeshire at a very exciting time!
Pembrokeshiresport.co.uk would like to thank Chris Payne for giving so much of his time to talk to us. He is clearly committed to providing the best possible service so why not get along to your local leisure centre and see what they have to offer you. You might be more than amazed if you do!
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