Penwith
Another Clissold Type
Disaster? 5.2.07
The new
sports complex in St. Ives was completed in July 2001 after one of the largest
sports lottery awards in the South West. The architects and project managers of
the leisure centre, Burke Rickhards, still claim as of 3.2.07 that "
It has been recognised for 'good value for money and is already proving to be a great success.."
http://www.burkerickhards.co.uk/projects_leisure.html
The Leisure Centre has been managed by LC, with the usual
issues one might expect of this company related to cleaning - see
below.
In November of 2006 it was discovered that swimming pool
tiles were lifting and the pool has been closed from at least 23.11.06. The
council said, "We are sorry to announce that due to technical problems with the Main Pool at St. Ives Leisure Centre, it has had to be closed for a full investigation, prior to any repairs.
The rest of the centre including Fitness Suite, Dance Studio and also The Learner Pool will remain open during this time.
Updated information will be posted as soon as we have more information." http://www.penwith.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=18091
on 3.2.07. As of 5.2.07
no update had been posted.
Meanwhile
on LC's website as of 3.2.07 it is claimed that, "We are currently undertaking a programme of works to repair & redecorte
(sic) the facility. Over the coming weeks you will see some positive changes that include;
* Redecoration of Reception, Foyer, Fitness Suite & Poolside.
* New Reception flooring.
* New Cafe flooring.
* Essential repairs to Pool flooring.
The repairs to the Pool are expected to be completed by the end of March 07."
http://www.leisureconnection.co.uk/centre/2/41/st_ives_leisure_centre.html
However, according to a council officer on 5.2.07 investigations
into the lifting tiles are still continuing and the March date is
"hopeful" rather than definite. The date seems all the less achievable
as no firm has yet been engaged to repair the tiles. Doesn't this
contradict what LC claimed
- "We are currently undertaking a programme of works to repair..."?
Given the lack
of information on the official websites one might well begin to fear that here
is another Clissold. This centre in Hackney opened in February 2002 and closed
as it was "unsafe" in November 2003. It has now been closed and unused
for over 38 months and is not projected to open until
"summer" 2007, after £13 million has been spent putting it right.
Much of the delay in sorting out Clissold was due to the legal bickering over
who was responsible. LC
eventually agreed with Hackney that it would terminate all of its leisure
contracts in the borough. PB
From the Conclusion of “St. Ives Leisure Centre
Performance Review Aug – Sept 2005”.
“I think that overall the Centre is fair, but the
standards of cleanliness should be much higher.
“Cleaning processes I feel that the Leisure
Connection Team need to work harder to counter these problems. If I can see dirt
and dust, so can the customers, and so should the site staff. There is much
needed improvement required and they require a Scheduled Cleaning Programme to
be put in place, and this should be accompanied by training.”Obtained
under Freedom of Information..