Hygiene hazard (From Stroud News and Journal)

Hygiene hazard

SHOCKING images sent into the SNJ reveal dirty conditions in the recently refurbished changing areas at Stroud's Stratford Park Leisure Centre.

The photographs were taken in the men's showers in the pool changing rooms and show grimy tiles and a dirty drain.

They were taken by a swimmer last Monday at 8.30am - when the facilities should have been spotless.

We were also sent a picture of a foul-looking toilet which we have chosen not to print.

The swimmer, who has visited the centre several times a week for more than 13 years and asked to remain anonymous, is fed up with the conditions.

"It's disgusting," he said. "If the public areas are so badly neglected it raises questions about those areas that are not open to view.

"The cleanliness issue is, to my mind, indicative of poor management and reflects attempts over the last couple of years to reduce costs by compromising on cleaning."

He is not the first user to complain about conditions. Last month, mother Rebecca Coombs told the SNJ she was so disgusted at the 'deplorable state' of the changing rooms that she would no longer take her two-year-old Sam there to use the pool.

"Surely in an environment where infection is so easily passed on some basic cleanliness is not too much to expect," said the 28-year-old, of Gloucester Road, Stonehouse.

Until two weeks ago, the centre had just two cleaners, though employees in other departments are expected to work with them to maintain hygiene.

General manager Andrew Bunn admitted the photographs we showed him were 'unacceptable' but added that he has just hired another two more cleaners to improve the situation.

"There are comprehensive schedules in place that are reviewed regularly which seek to ensure that standards meet with customer expectations," he said.

"A recent change to the centre's supplier of cleaning materials has also been agreed."

The centre is owned by Stroud District Council but has been run by private companies since November 1992.

In 2002 the building - including the changing areas - was revamped. It is currently managed by Parkwood Leisure, which operates 44 public sports facilities throughout England and Wales and has a turnover of £32-million.