Appalling conditions at centre (From Stroud News and Journal)

Appalling conditions at centre

STRATFORD Park leisure centre users are staging an uprising against what they call the dirty, dangerous and appalling conditions in the newly refurbished centre.

Complaints from unhappy customers have flooded in to the Stroud News & Journal since last week's interview with a Stonehouse mum, who said the £1 million spent on it had failed to make a difference.

A barrage of letters and phone calls described the centre as a health and safety hazard where basic standards of hygiene and maintenance are neglected.

Many SNJ readers said they had been unhappy for years and claims about refurbishments rubbed salt into the wound.

The centre's new makeover will be celebrated at a special opening day on Saturday, February 15 when all the work is supposed to be finished.

Last Thursday SNJ reporters went undercover at the centre and found dirty floors, unfinished painting and decoration, an unattended lift shaft with exposed electrical equipment, cracked swimming pool tiles and cables hanging down from the ceiling - all in areas being used by the public.

Most of the people who contacted the SNJ did not want their names mentioned because, they said, they had no choice about where to go.

One 64-year-old Leonard Stanley woman swims there three times a week complained the showers are too hot to use.

She said: "If we want a proper shower we have to go from the ladies changing room, through some doors to the dry locker room.

"I go swimming with a disabled friend and she can't walk that far."

She added there was no handle on the door between the changing rooms and pool, so swimmers had to try to catch hold of the lock on the door.

She said: "The management told me to speak to the staff but they are just people straight out of school and don't really care."

"I've been going there for 13 years. It's absolutely hopeless but there's nowhere else to go. "I just don't know what to do."

A major grievance for many people was that they had complained but were ignored.

Ebley resident and frequent swimmer Julia Currie said: "Over the last seven years standards have deteriorated beyond belief. "Despite many verbal and written complaints the facilities remain extremely poor.

"Any criticism appears to have fallen on deaf ears." The problems, she said, included dirty changing rooms and toilets and 'appalling and dangerous' showers that fluctuate from hot to cold.

Another swimmer from Nailsworth agreed she had been complaining for years.

A gym user said he was recently working out with people sanding paint next to him.

When he asked to speak to the health and safety officer, he was told none was available.

He said: "I had six people around me and no-one was wearing face masks. "I was breathing it in.

"They are breaking all the health and safety laws."

Mrs Trish Constantine, a regular user attending fitness classes, had complained in person and by letter but had not had a satisfactory response.

She said: "I totally agree with the lady from Stonehouse about the appalling conditions of the toilets and the generally grubby and dingy atmosphere, despite the refurbishments.

"I for one have been angered by the gross inefficiency of staff, as well as the filthy facilities."

The company responsible for the refurbishment, Clear Channel Entertainment, Leisure said it expected problems to be ironed out after Saturday.

A spokesman said the centre was kept open during the work for the benefit of users and all work was subject to health and safety approval.

The company apologised for any problems. It added that specific concerns should be addressed to Mr Lippett.

District council spokesman David Marshall said he was surprised members of the public had gone to a newspaper without waiting for the work to be completed.

He said: "We asked local people whether they wanted the centre kept open.

"Obviously that is going to result in inconvenience. You can't do a job like that without it.

"The work isn't quite finished yet. We are confident it will be £1 million well spent and people will be very happy.

"But they have got to accept there will be teething problems."