Patrons of Great Yarmouth’s Marina Centre have seen improvements to the building and new equipment installed to the tune of £44,000 in the last year - and there is another £11,000 in the pot to carry out even more.

The figures were announced at the first annual general meeting of the Trustee’s board set up last year when the company that previously ran the centre decided to cut its ties.

The Trust was formed in April 2006 from representatives of the Borough and County Councils, Primary Care Trust, Sports Partnership and the Tourist Authority. It was led by Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s director Mark Barrow in the joint role of chair and chief executive.

Mark’s move to become chief executive of Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council saw new appointments made at the AGM. Local business man Graham Plant took on the role of chair of the Trust, and Service Manager for Culture, Sport and Leisure, Marie Hartley became chief executive while David Nurse of the bowls club was co-opted as a member.

During the last year expenditure at the Marina Centre has included a poolside sauna, gym equipment, piazza toilets, and a new entry system at the main entrance.

The meeting heard that finances are in a healthy position, as opposed to the centre previously running at a £70,000 deficit.

A balance of £11,000, was being carried forward, to provide more improvements over the next year.

“I want to thank the staff at the Marina for the hard work they have put in during the last year which has seen usage figures rise and the rate of staff turnover drop greatly - it now stands at a figure of less than five per cent,” said Graham Plant.

“The Trust was formed at a time when the future of the Marina was in doubt. It has achieved a great deal in just one year, and I feel certain that 2007 will also be an excellent year.”

“Our aspirations for the forthcoming year will be to see business growth for the Trust,” added Marie Hartley. “The first step was to take on management responsibility of the local Positive Futures project, which aims to engage young people through sports activities as a means to reducing anti-social behaviour.

“That happened in April and we will be looking ahead for further management opportunities through projects within the borough.”

For further information contact Service Manager for Culture, Sport and Leisure, Marie Hartley on 01493 846354.