26 November 2015
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Well known for its sports, fitness and elite training successes, the Mardyke Arena UCC is now celebrating international success with a record 5 international standards awards. Presented by Certification Europe, the National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) and the Northern Ireland Safety Group (NISG), the awards achieved by the Mardyke Arena UCC have ensured international recognition as one of the few sports and fitness facilities across the EU that have achieved such outstanding quality and excellence standards.
Speaking at the awards presentation celebrations in Cork, University College Cork (UCC) President Michael Murphy said: “The awarding of these international standards is the culmination of a three year investment in quality standards by the management and staff of the Mardyke Arena UCC. These awards are testament to the commitment and dedication of the team at the Mardyke Arena UCC to excellence in this field.”
The Mardyke Arena UCC now holds 5 awards of quality and excellence including the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, ISO50001 Energy Management Systems Standard, ISO90001 for Quality Management and OHSAS 18001 for Occupational Health & Safety Systems as well as the All Ireland National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) and Northern Ireland Safety Group (NISG) Top Health & Safety Award for Sport & Leisure Facilities. The Mardyke Arena is the only centre in Ireland and one of a small number institutions worldwide with these combined International Management Systems Standards.
“The Mardyke Arena has built a reputation for inspiring and delivering excellence across all its activities and operations. We are the first and only facility in Ireland to be accredited with these major international quality standards. These high standards and quality awards demonstrate the dedication of our staff when it comes to delivering excellence at every level,” said Patsy Ryan, General Manager, Mardyke Arena.
“Not only are we delivering best-in-breed customer service and quality management processes, but we are very aware of our sustainability, and our impact on the environment and on society. These international standards are therefore hugely important in conveying our commitment in every aspect of the business.”
Since the implementation of the Environment & Energy Management Systems, the Mardyke Arena UCC has effectively reduced energy usage by 30% or 150,000 Kilowatt Hours which is the equivalent amount of energy to powering the average Irish household for 30 years.
