Oak Tree Leisure Centre in Mansfield has reached the final of the National Fitness Awards in the Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year category.

The judging process for the National Fitness Awards consists of a series of written submissions combined with a judge’s visit, so each team can showcase first-hand the  work going on in their facilities. Following this visit, a comprehensive report is produced, which is then  passed on to an expert judging panel to decide the  winners.

Brian Taylor, chair for More Community Leisure Trust, which manages the centre with its operating partner, Serco Leisure, said: “I’m very proud of the Oak Tree team. This is a centre that consistently punches above its weight at these national award events, so we are very hopeful of another win for this excellent, community-focused facility.”

Coun Andy Burgin, portfolio holder for Environment and Leisure, added: “Oak Tree Leisure Centre has a special place in this community. People know they’ll get a friendly welcome and be supported at every step of their fitness journey when they come to our community-focused facility.

“It makes us so proud to see our leisure facilities, year in and out, being shortlisted and recognised on a national level for all the great work they do in our communities.”

Trophies will  be handed out by one of Britain’s most famous athletes, Derek Redmond, at an awards ceremony on Friday, 29th November at The Athena in Leicester.

The annual event recognises excellence and achievement in gyms throughout the country with shortlisted facilities being as far north as Aberdeen and as far south as Devon. The awards are organised by Script Events in conjunction with leading fitness industry publication Workout Magazine, with support from headline sponsor ServiceSport.