Vale Farm Maintenance

Vale Farm Maintenance - see also Vale Farm Showers

15.2.08

Update - while the tiles and cables were sorted out soon after the photos below appeared on LCW the other two items have not been addressed. The damaged sink unit is still there, covered in sticky tape. I am not aware of any announcements as to when the unit will be replaced but a competent plumber could do it overnight, so what's the hold up? Why does it take a year to fix this? And no more benches have been provided.

Another feature installed by LC were automatic sliding doors at the main entrance. These have frequently broken down and have to be left open. It's not unusual to see receptionists shivering despite their fleece jackets and it adds to the chill draughts that come through the changing rooms and these defective doors do nothing to help reduce CO2 emissions.

Several months ago I wrote pointing out that the metal ventilation panels in the ceiling by the wetside showers were corroded. Again these were part of the LC refurbishment. It would seem either their designer chose panels unsuitable for a damp area or the accountants insisted on cheaper materials. PB

23 July 2007

Using pictures taken in the changing room of a public swimming pool is not something I do lightly. These were snapped in the early morning when no children use the pool and every care was taken not to include any users.

As there is a need to help the public understand more clearly some of the design and maintenance issues in pools managed by LC I am prepared to feature them here.

All photos are from the Men's Wetside Changing Rooms and were taken in July 2007. PB

		This is the second melamine and chipboard sink unit installed in the changing room by LC. Despite the well known problems with the first one, in January 2006, as part of what was grandly called a "major refurbishment", the current cheap and not so cheerful corner piece was fitted. Such materials may be least expensive to purchase but are unsuited to damp or high traffic areas, such as a pool changing room. Given that n many homeowners avoid melamine because of its susceptibility to damp why have LC have twice chosen it? Before being replaced the first melamine unit had to be propped up with a metal leg for over a year, such was the damage to it. In the photo the corner can be seen to lifting. There has been no attempt to seal the exposed chipboard and at this stage of damage there is probably little point. Will users have to wait for the next "major refurbishment" in about three years time to see this unsightly and unhygienic fitting replaced?
LC installed a number of pay-for hair driers and here can be seen what is left of them. Users have been looking at the exposed cables and perforated tiles for over a year now. I assume the power has been switched off but to leave mains wires for such a long time where children pass by and could reach them is most unfortunate. That Brent Council has not forced LC to do something about them is a disgrace. I challenge LC or Brent Council to find a qualified electrical engineer who endorses cable ends being left like this.
		When LC took over the Vale Farm contract and refurbished the wetside changing rooms there was a delay before benches and hooks were fitted. My recollection is the delay lasted over a month. The benches were attached to the walls but have not lasted - maybe their quality was equivalent to melamine's? Recently three, blue free-standing benches have been provided. When the pool is busy this means there is a shortage of seating. As you can see there is much room along the wall for additional benches, if only the needs of swimmers had been thought through and the LC purse strings prized open a little further.