Golden Goggles Award

Golden Goggles 2006

13.7.06 Evening Standard headline -  "Swimming Pools that Shame our Olympic Capital"

Reporting on this year's Golden Goggles, a survey of swimming pools in Greater London, organised by The London Pools Campaign, the Evening Standard followed the headline with some of the details. Fourteen pools were featured in the list of shame and three of these are managed by Leisure Connection. 

"Vale Farm Sports Centre, Brent Pool in need of 'a general overhaul'. Council says the 'pool has been refurbished'." (The pool was closed for refurbishment over Christmas but elements of its appearance are still poor and there are maintenance issues such cloudy pool water and debris on the pool floor. PB) 

"Hatch End Swimming Pool, Harrow "The pool itself is quite old and needs cleaning or resurfacing, the worn-away surface makes it look dirty." Poor security, especially in the changing areas where 'anyone can walk in'." (See also Hatch End Health & Safety Inspection on LCW.)

"Northolt Swimarama, Ealing, "Pool's condition 'poor'. Car park charges visitors until late at night."

"Ms Hughes (London Pools Campaign Coordinator) singled out Brent. It has just one pool, at Vale Farm, described by Campaign inspectors as 'in need of a general overhaul'. "

Winners of the Golden Goggles Awards will be announced on July 20th and results for all pools are expected at London Pools Campaign after that date. Further reports on LCW to follow.

Golden Goggles 2005

The London Pools Campaign announced 20 finalists in their survey of London swimming pools in the Evening Standard on 23.5.05.  The winners were announced and awards presented by Duncan Goodhew on live television two days later.

 East Ham Baths won "Best Pool"  and Westminster's Porchester Centre was "Swimmers' Favourite". 

A total of 104 pools were surveyed including 11 run by LC for 5 London Boroughs. LC run facilities did not appear in the top ten for either Best Pool or Swimmers' Favourite. One LC pool  listed by the Evening Standard was Ealing Council's "Swimarama". It appeared under "Pools In Need of Repair". 

With over 10% of the municipal pools in London  LC, with its motto of "raising the standard",  failed to have any of its pools among the 20 that made "Best Pool" and "Swimmers' Favourite".  

Brent came last in the list of "Best Boroughs" for swimming facilities. Wandsworth won best borough overall with Newham and Westminster among the finalists.  

Congratulations to London Pool Campaign, in particular Liz Hughes, for all the work on behalf of swimmers.

PB