Leisure facilities achieve top national quality ratings through Quest Plus

22 April 2026

North Northamptonshire Council’s in-house leisure team is celebrating a significant achievement after Lodge Park Sports Centre and Corby East Midlands International Pool both achieved high national ratings under Quest Plus, the enhanced quality framework for leisure provision.

Lodge Park Sports Centre achieved an overall Excellent rating, while Corby East Midlands International Pool achieved a Very Good rating, reflecting strong, well managed services delivered across both facilities.

Both centres were also awarded the Exercise Referral Standard, confirming the quality and safety of supported health improvement programmes.

Lodge Park Sports Centre – Excellent

Lodge Park Sports Centre achieved an overall Excellent Quest Plus rating, with assessors recognising outstanding performance across leadership, workforce development, accessibility and health focused delivery.

Assessors praised the professional, motivated and welcoming staff at Lodge Park. They also noted consistently high customer service across face-to-face, digital and telephone enquiries, and a clean, safe and well-maintained environment.

Key strengths:

• Excellence in leadership and staff development 
• Strong performance in tackling health inequalities
• High accessibility standards 
• The excellent condition of fitness and sports hall equipment
• Effective financial and performance management

Lodge Park’s award of the Tackling Inequalities Leisure Standard further recognised its commitment to improving access to physical activity and supporting under represented groups.

Corby East Midlands International Pool – Very Good and Community Focused

Corby East Midlands International Pool achieved a Very Good Quest Plus rating. This confirms the strong performance across operational management, customer experience, safety and inclusion. 

Assessors recognised the pool as a valued community facility, offering accessible aquatic provision supporting health, confidence and participation across all ages and abilities.

A major strength is the pool’s Learn to Swim programme, which has been awarded Swim England’s Learn to Swim Accreditation. Find out more about our Learn to Swim programme, which supports children and adults to develop essential water safety skills, confidence and a pathway into lifelong swimming and physical activity.

Positive health outcomes and growing participation

Across both sites, assessors highlighted the positive impact of health referral programmes delivered as an integrated leisure service, including Activity on Referral and Active for Health programmes.

Strong results included a 94% completion rate for the Get Up and Go falls prevention programme, alongside evidenced improvements in blood pressure, strength and mental wellbeing. Positive outcomes were also recorded for cardiac and cancer rehabilitation participants.

Adult memberships across the two centres have continued to grow, increasing from around 2,900 in 2021 to more than 3,700.

These ratings are a real credit to the council leisure teams. Achieving Excellent and Very Good Quest Plus ratings demonstrates the high standards being delivered and highlights the positive and valuable impact our leisure facilities can offer local communities to support their health and wellbeing.Councillor Brian Benneyworth, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Housing, Health and Leisure.

Supporting leisure facilities to promote wellbeing is a clear priority in our Corporate Plan, and these high ratings recognise the real health and wellbeing benefits being delivered for our families and communities across the whole of North Northamptonshire. I would like to thank the council’s leisure teams for their continued commitment in achieving these fantastic results.
Councillor Martin Griffiths, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council.

The awards followed a rigorous assessment process, including two-day on-site visits as well as mystery in-person and digital assessments.

You can find a wide range of ways to get active and support your wellbeing on the council website and read more about the programmes on offer at Corby East Midlands International Pool and Lodge Park Sports Centre.