Wokingham

Wokingham 2000-2002 See also main Wokingham Page

From Wokingham District Council Online Live Session 17th February 2000 available at http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/sys_upl/templates/StdRight/StdRight_disp.asp?pgid=4085&tid=71

Question 4 The facilities at the pool have been far from satisfactory over recent weeks. In particular the pool temperature (Children have been in tears) and the level of cleanliness. This was summarised very well in a letter to the Wokingham Times this week. Can you please explain what measures are being undertaken by the council & what penalties have been imposed on Circa leisure, who I believe run it?

Cllr Green's Response Thanks for the question.... I have some further information from the officers in the Leisure Dept. We are sorry about the recent problems which customers have experienced at the Carnival Pool. All of the issues raised have been discussed in detail with the Contractor, Leisure Connection Plc (formerly Circa), and we are making every effort to get these resolved as quickly as possible. On the specific issues raised in your question and the letter to the Wokingham Times, I would make the following comments:

Pool temperature problems: These were caused by a breakdown in the computer controlling the building management system. The specialist repair contractor has now mended this and the pool temperature is being maintained at the maximum recommended temperature, which is 30 degrees Centigrade, 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Digital Displays: These were inadvertently disconnected during the building works and are due to being repaired within the next ten days. We are sorry that customers are being inconvenienced and, in the meantime, pool staff will be pleased to provide information on pool temperature etc for any customers requiring it.

Cleanliness: The Council regularly inspects standards of hygiene at the pool and, on the whole, standards are satisfactory. In response to the comments recently made by customers, we are making additional inspections and indeed we will continue to monitor this closely...

Penalties: No penalties have been imposed upon the contractor as most of the recent problems have been beyond their control. The Council believes that it is in the best interests of its residents to develop partnerships with its contractors and considers the use of penalties as a last resort in the resolution of all but the most serious of problems.

17.1.02 TIME TO GET SKATES ON OVER PARK from http://www.getwokingham.co.uk

HUNDREDS of young skateboarders are being denied the use of a revamped skate facility in Wokingham because of red tape, it is claimed. The skate park at St Crispin’s Sports Centre in London Road was shut last year for refurbishment due to health and safety reasons.

Now Wokingham Town councillors have expressed their frustration with its continued closure.
The town council, which provides the equipment, says the park was ready for use last October and claims Leisure Connections, which manages the site, is “dragging their feet”.

Cllr Linda Barnes, vice-chairman of the town council’s amenities committee, said: “After the park was given the all clear by health and safety officials, we wanted to get the lease in place with Leisure Connections.

“But they said they were not happy with the lease and had to go back to their head company, but it’s taking a long time for them to respond. “They’re dragging their feet — when we chase it up the sticking point seems to be the lease — it’s red tape.”

Leisure Connections manages leisure facilities in the district for Wokingham District Council and runs St Crispin’s Sports Centre on behalf of the council.

A district council spokesman said: “All the repairs have been done and now we are trying to work out the management policy — we need to sort out how it is going to work. “We want it to be done as soon as possible but there are quite a few legal hoops to go through so we can’t give a timescale.”

A St Crispin’s spokesman added: “We’re waiting on the council for a date to re-open the skate park to the public and to finalise agreements — I think they’re planning a big presentation thing.”

The town council hopes the issue can be resolved at its next finance and general purposes committee meeting on January 29, where Leisure Connections has been invited to attend...