Over the last few years many businesses have fallen flat at the financial hurdles placed in front of them due to the countries crippling recession. The same can't be said about Yorkshire based Leisure provider, BPL, who instead of sitting tight during the storm have powered on through with several large developments over the last 18 months.

BPL has invested almost £3,000,000 in various projects since January 2011, which is currently culminating with the opening of the Fitness Flex 100 station health and fitness suite based in Doncaster town centre. BPL operates a diverse portfolio in Barnsley Bassetlaw and Wakefield so expanding into Doncaster is an exciting step for the 'not for profit' organisation.

Along with the recent build of the Fitness Flex health and fitness suite, BPL has also spent a significant amount on developments at the Barnsley Metrodome Leisure Complex. This includes a £1 million refurbishment of their health and fitness suite allowing the complex to cope with the increase in membership demand. The financial input received at the Metrodome also went to use by the addition of an eight lane state-of-the-art bowling alley and the more recently, Calypso Cove Water Park, a complete overhaul of the original water park, which reopened back in February this year.

Not only are BPL dedicated to improving all their facilities across the board but with development comes a greater need for additional employees. Since 2011 the leisure operator has taken on more than 50 new members of staff.

BPL has also stretched their portfolio by becoming the preferred contractor to manage the Bassetlaw Senior School Sports Facilities in North Nottinghamshire increasing its portfolio from 6 sites to 11 in the Bassetlaw area.

It really has been an exciting 18 months for BPL and they show no sign of easing up as they plan to turn the Metrodome into a larger concert arena than the current offer. They hope to attract some of the biggest acts in music, theatre and comedy with their latest plans. The multimillion pound development could cost anywhere between £2.5m and £4m. Although a fairly large investment, BPL predict the plan could be a perfect boost for the economy, with local businesses set to prosper, should the plan go ahead.

Tim Wilson, BPL Chief Executive commented: "I am so proud of the organisation at this moment in time. We want to provide affordable leisure service for all ages to enjoy. It's been a whirlwind of changes over the past 18 months, but the results have been outstanding. We have already seen a significant increase in footfall this year since the development of Calypso Cove Water Park, the Health Suite extension and the opening of our new Ten Pin bowling facility at The Metrodome Leisure Complex.

"Now we're expanding into Doncaster with our latest health and fitness suite, which opens in June. We also have plans to develop the Metrodome rear entrance and reconfigure the arena space to attract the big names in the entertainment industry that will really put Barnsley on the map as a regional attraction. Income and employment at BPL continues to rise through these hard times, and that is down to the whole team's hard work ethic at BPL. My vision has always been to make BPL one of the biggest Leisure Trusts in the country, and we continue to look for more opportunities to expand our portfolio further."