Spalding

24.7.07 Pledge to improve pool after complaint  Spalding Today Reproduced in full apart from photo. http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news?articleid=3052499

 Spalding Swimming Pool staff have promised facilities will soon be up to scratch after a mother complained about the state of showers and doors. Theresa Geeson, of Weston Hills, took 17-month-old daughter Abigail to the pool at the Castle Sports Complex last Monday and was disgusted by the showers.

 She said: "One of them was scorching hot, the other was like a fridge freezer. It is OK when you are adults but when you have a baby shaking and shivering it is not acceptable. There are problems with the family changing rooms near the male and female rooms. One has no door and one has no locks or handles so you can't keep it shut. We are paying for this pool through our council taxes and paying to gain entry. Where does it go? People in Britain don't complain about things enough but we should."

 She added that she wrote to the complex several months ago about the showers and was given free vouchers to Harpers Gym as well as promises that the problems would be resolved.

 The pool is owned by South Holland District Council but run by contractor Leisure Connection. It was shut for two weeks at the start of the month while areas, including the reception, toilets and sports hall, were refurbished.

 Contracts manager Tina Stubbs apologised for the problems and said that doors are waiting for new handles after the wrong ones were fitted by the manufacturers. They are due to arrive soon. She said that showers were next on the agenda for refurbishment and added: "We have had a problem with one of the mixer valves in the showers, which are being replaced this week. They have to be ordered. They don't just keep them on the shelf.

 "We can do some of the work while we are open but the refurbishment couldn't be done. There was quite a lot of work going on. The trouble is that it is a 31-year-old building. We had no end of complaints because it closed for a month but then what can we do? It is a catch-22 situation." 

From Spalding Today 13.3.07  http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=829&ArticleID=2116113   (reproduced in full)

Disappointed at centre activities

Staffing and a new programme are issues that have been tackled at the Peele Leisure Centre, Long Sutton, which has come under fire from users. Mark Ludlam and Amanda Page urged the centre to get its act together and contacted the Lincolnshire Free Press after their little girl was bitterly disappointed when children's sessions were continuously cancelled. They signed four-year-old Heather up for trampolining and Jumping Jacks (bouncy castle fun) earlier this year. But she was upset when trampolining was cancelled at the last minute because there were not enough instructors and Jumping Jacks was pulled because not enough people attended.

The couple kept in regular contact to find out when trampolining would restart and when it did they were told Heather was not old enough. Mr Ludlam said: "We were told the policy now was that they had to be five to take part. They already had the information for her date of birth. When we asked about Jumping Jacks the next day they said the policy now was that there had to be more than five people otherwise they would not run it. "How do we keep telling a four-year-old that it's not on?  We want to support the local facility but they are not allowing us to do so. It's a fantastic new facility for the size of the town but it is destined to fail if they continue to run things this way."

In response, Leisure Connection regional manager Lee Sherratt admitted that there had been problems at the site because it is new and staff were not as experienced as those normally employed. He said: "The contract manager has been off for some time but is back in place now and we are addressing the issues. We are making some changes regarding some of the key team members at the site. We also have a new activities programme being launched, which will be much better for engaging the community."

Heather has also been offered a free course of trampolining by the centre.

How long does a company need to sort out the issues with a "new" centre? I suggest for a well-managed company three months and for a  mediocre one six months. How long have LC been at  Peele Leisure Centre? From April 2006 to March 2007 is over 11 months.  And how different are these complaints from those at the other centres managed by LC for South Holland District Council and elsewhere for an even longer period?  PB

From Spalding Today 7.12.06  http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=830&ArticleID=1919279  (reproduced in full)

All-weather pitch closed... due to rain  -  Drainage problems have caused Spalding All-Weather Pitch to close.

The facility, which is owned by Lincolnshire County Council and managed by Leisure Connection, has no date set for its re-opening. The closure has left the Gleed Boys' School and Gleed Girls' Technology College without use of the facility, while Spalding's Soccersixes League has moved to Spalding Grammar School's sports hall for the foreseeable future.

Hockey matches involving Spalding Hockey Club, Spalding Old Girls and Gosberton Clough Poachers have had to be postponed too. Jonathan Platt, county council head of cultural strategy and inclusion, said: "We have a meeting on Friday where the problems will be looked at and a solution will be reached. I cannot say when the problem will be fixed or when the facility will be re-opened. The upkeep of the facility is the responsibility of Leisure Connection and clearly we have a problem which needs looking at."

From Spalding Today 13.3.06  http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=829&ArticleID=1379483    (reproduced in full)

Intervention halts steep rise in fees for complex

THE cost of using Spalding's Castle Sports Complex over the next year will not increase as dramatically as first thought thanks to a district councillor's intervention. Leisure Connection, which runs the complex and swimming pool in Albion Street and Pinchbeck Road respectively, had proposed increasing the 2006/2007 costs of using some of the facilities by up to 30 per cent.

But despite the council agreeing last Wednesday to Leisure Connection's proposals, which would see the price of a swim increase from £1.25 to £1.55 for concessions and the costs of using the crèche rise from £1.15 to £1.50, the cabinet is not satisfied that the charges were properly scrutinised. Now Coun Nick Worth, portfolio holder for rural services and a member of the council's cabinet, has decided that the charges must be revised.

In a report on charges by Andrew Petcher, the council's director of rural services, he said: "The council had previously agreed that as part of the negotiations with Leisure Connection in respect of managing the Peele Leisure Centre at Long Sutton that the admission prices should rise annually in line with the contract inflation provisions in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Further review of the Leisure Connection proposals revealed that the charges were in excess of this agreement and therefore not consistent with the negotiated agreement."

And the report said that if an increase in charges which is significantly above inflation is required before 2008, the rate would become fixed for two years.
In September last year prices increased broadly in line with the Retail Price Index of 2.49 per cent. Under new council proposals, which will be approved unless a councillor requests the matter be called in, the maximum increase for 2006/2007 compared with 2005/2006 would be 8.7 per cent.

This increase would be on the crèche facility, with prices rising from £1.15 to £1.25, but the amount would be fixed for two years due to the level of the rise.
Lockers will be charged at 20p with the price fixed for two years, while the cost for clubs to book the pool for an hour will increase by £2 to £30, an amount that will also be fixed. The costs of using Harpers Gym will increase upwards of five per cent, depending on membership, but prices will again be fixed for two years.
The revised schedule of price proposals would bring them in line with the terms of the council's agreement with Leisure Connection.

2.1.06  Calls for smoking ban at sports centre  From Spalding Today http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=829&ArticleID=1298133

Athletes at a sports complex are tired of having to breathe secondhand smoke each time they exercise. Users of the Castle Sports Complex in Albion Street, Spalding, are upset because smoke from the lounge area of the bar is allowed to circulate through communal non-smoking areas of the building, including the entrance and reception.

John Deer, treasurer of the 50+ Badminton Club which uses the complex twice a week, said: "A sports centre doesn't lend itself to smoking, on the whole. It's a council-owned building and the council won't allow smoking in its offices. Someone must have the authority to say 'From now on there will be no more smoking'."

The complex is run by leisure management company Leisure Connection, which has now pledged to remedy the situation in response to pressure from regular customers - if this is what the majority of the users of the facility want. Tina Stubbs, contract manager for the Castle Sports Complex, said: "Our customers are our priority and we are currently working in partnership with South Holland District Council to begin a consultation exercise on the issue of smoking. Once the consultation is complete we will review the feedback and ensure we implement the wishes of our customers."

Many users of the centre feel the same way about smoking and even staff have complained, according to Mr Deer. John is also convinced that
a smoking ban would make more sense for the operators of the complex. He said: "If there was a smoking ban in the lounge then more people would use the area to eat. People stay away because of the smoke."

The Health Bill, published by the Government in October, required all restaurants and pubs serving food to have a ban in place by summer 2007.
This was seen as a disappointing compromise by many anti-smoking campaigners, who wanted a total ban in public places. However, with a ban inevitably coming into effect, John wonders what good there is in waiting to implement the law. He said: "I don't see the problem with it being totally non-smoking.
"I would encourage them to pre-empt the Government legislation. Why can't someone stand up and be counted?"

Some weeks later smoking was banned at the centre. PB

From Spalding Today 21.12.05  http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=829&ArticleID=1290380   (reproduced in full)

Sports centre planning big increase in charges

A SPORTS centre is proposing to increase some of its fees and charges by as much as a third in some cases in 2006/7. Leisure Connection, which is contracted by South Holland District Council to run the Castle Sports Complex, wants to increase its charges by between 4.29 per cent and 33.33 per cent.
It also wants to increase the price of a swim for a leisure card holder up to £2.15 (previously £1.85) and for a non-card holder to £2.50 (previously £2.20).
The proposals were revealed to the district council cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday where others were outlined as:

*To increase all fee levels for Spalding Cemetery at five per cent
*Car park excess charge tickets up £5 on the maximum charge and £2.50 on seven day payment charge
*Market charges to rise on average by five per cent
*Charges for the Sir Halley Stewart Field, Monkshouse, Fishpond Lane and Ayscoughfee Garden leisure facilities to increase by five per cent
*Charges for hiring facilities and services at the South Holland Centre, Spalding, are to increase between two and 42.86 per cent and cinema admissions between 5.56 and 8.33 per cent

Car parking charges are proposed to be increased by 10p on all existing charges (with exceptions at Fishpond Lane, Holbeach, where fees have been withdrawn and the short stay facility at the Castle Sports Complex and Swimming Pool).

A report to cabinet said: "Income from fees and charges is an important source of revenue for the authority. Charges do more, however, than just raise income. 
"They have a significant role to play in the achievement of a range of council objectives from corporate priorities such as being a leading edge authority providing value for money quality services through to developing a thriving rural economy."

It adds that all charges should rise by inflation (currently 2.1 per cent) unless the service manager has provided a sound business case for not doing so. 
Coun Nick Worth, leisure and tourism portfolio holder, said he was concerned by some of Leisure Connection's percentage increases, especially the 30 per cent increase on the creche facility. 

Cabinet asked for some of the figures to be reviewed and for some commissions on their report to be filled in before they approved the fees and charges.
21 December 2005

from Spalding Today 4.4.05 http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=829&ArticleID=985673 

Swimmer dives into row about 'abysmal' state of town's pool (reproduced in full)

A SECOND Spalding swimmer has hit out at the "abysmal" state of some of the facilities at the town's pool. Celia Fitton is fed up with the condition of the changing facilities at the Castle Swimming Pool in Pinchbeck Road. Mrs Fitton contacted the Spalding Guardian after reading about similar complaints raised by Cradge Bank man James Le Sage.

She said: "My main gripe is with the changing rooms. The lockers are abysmal and at one stage a couple of months ago only 20 out of a block of 50 were operational. Several have had their locks replaced but a number are still unusable. The sauna has had two benches missing for months. I used to think that the swimming pool was an asset to the people of Spalding. Now I'm not so sure."

Mrs Fitton also believes that the pool's schedule doesn't cater sufficiently for people wanting to swim lengths rather than take part in classes. The pool's programme is decided by South Holland District Council and carried out by centre managers Leisure Connection. She said: "Even when sessions are advertised as being for general swimming, pool staff are often teaching a young child in the shallow end while two of the lanes are closed for a swimming club."

Mrs Fitton wrote a number of letters raising her concerns to the pool's former manager Duncan Gibb between March and June last year but she believes the problems haven't been dealt with. A spokesman for Leisure Connection said that replacement benches in the pool's sauna had to be custom made, meaning a six-week delay between order and delivery.

A new pump has recently been installed to provide the pool's showers with more hot water.
The spokesman added: "Leisure Connection has installed a brand new clock in the main swimming pool hall, and improved showers which are of a higher quality than those which were previously available. Castle Sports Complex prides itself on offering a facility for the entire community and therefore needs to ensure everyone is catered for. At times this does mean that certain parts of the pool need to be segmented to allow younger and less confident swimmers the opportunity to feel the benefits of the swimming pool. There are daily length and adult-only sessions for more experienced swimmers. A full pool programme can be obtained by contacting the centre direct on 01775 769373."

And South Holland District Council's head of leisure and tourism Simon Starr said that the authority plans to replace the lockers, but when the work is carried out depends on the council's other priorities.

Swimming facilities 'in an appalling state' reproduced in full http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=829&ArticleID=967792 from Spalding Today 10.3.05

A SPALDING man has hit out at the "appalling" state of the town's swimming facilities.
James Le Sage, of Cradge Bank, believes Castle Sports Complex swimming pool in Pinchbeck Road has been allowed to fall behind the times. He told the Spalding Guardian: "I can only speak for the men's changing rooms but 50 per cent of the lockers do not work or do not have keys.

"Most showers do not work and the ones that do are freezing cold. Tiles are falling off in the changing room, the seating is appalling and at times certain areas are roped off. Some nights you can hardly swim due to the various activities going on in the pool and the amount of people trying to use what would seem now to be an inadequate sized swim area. Despite numerous complaints nothing seems to change. Spalding has grown a great deal. Is it not time that we had the facilities to match?"

The pool is owned by South Holland District Council and managed on its behalf by Leisure Connection. Simon Starr, head of leisure and tourism for the council, said that responsibility for changes to basic facilities at the pool lay with its managers. He said: "In strict contractual terms day to day maintenance is the responsibility of Leisure Connection. We did put in some money for the replacement of lockers in our forward plan but when the work is carried out depends on what other priorities the council has."

Mr Starr added that he felt the pool was large enough to cope with the demands placed on it by swimmers in South Holland. He said: "We ask Leisure Connection to provide a varied programme of activities that cater for the range of people who use the pool. There are classes for everyone from children to adults and we also have a learner pool and diving pool."

Sue Waters, acting manager of Castle Sports Complex for Leisure Connection, said that a new shower pump has recently been installed. She said: "The old one was put in a few years ago and wasn't able to cope when we changed the showers but the new one will solve that problem. We have had a quote for the new lockers but as the job will cost several thousands of pounds we have to wait for approval. I think we run a well balanced programme in a multi-purpose pool with a lot of sessions that cater for all ages."

30.11.04  Spalding Today

SPALDING United has come under fire over late payment of rent. A members of Spalding Town Forum hit out at the football club, claiming that it failed to pay £2,000 rent for the Sir Halley Stewart Field on time.

But club chairman Chris Toynton said the problem is down to a query over "inaccurate" bills.
South Holland district councillor Paul Walls said at Wednesday's meeting: "What would happen to a council tenant with a similar record of not paying? "We would seriously be contemplating the next step, which would be eviction. "What makes Spalding United any different to the guy on the street?"

Coun Walls made his comments as the forum was given a quarterly update of Spalding Special Expenses Account. The forum was asked to stump up £10,000 to pay for re-roofing of the pavilion at the Tulips' home ground. Spalding St Paul's Coun Steve Williams said the forum should refuse to pay for the work and added: "That is of no advantage to the people of Spalding."

But after the meeting Mr Toynton said: "The bills presented were inaccurate. "We are offering a good service and putting the town on the map. "We are also putting in hundreds of manpower hours, unpaid, doing maintenance jobs which we do not charge back to the district council."

Head of leisure and tourism at the district council Simon Starr said that problems have arisen over an invoice issued to the club for the field's use. He said: "The invoices are issued by Leisure Connection who act on the council's behalf. "The football club is currently in discussion with Leisure Connection with regard to some of the amounts as they believe they may have overpaid on a previous bill. When this has been ironed out the football club will be settling its bill and then Leisure Connection will pay the monies to the council."

Members have been asked to contribute towards the £69,000 cost of resurfacing tennis courts at Ayscoughfee Gardens...

22.8.03  Spalding Today  http://snipurl.com/b81v   Swimming Pool Closed

A BROKEN underwater light fitting is likely to keep Spalding swimming pool shut until Thursday. It has caused disappointment for children and parents as the school holidays get underway. 

The main pool was evacuated on Sunday afternoon when fragments from the shattered fitting were discovered in the deep end. The pool, which is normally only drained once a year for cleaning, was emptied to clear the debris. The underwater lights have not been used for a number of years but all will now have perspex fronts put on them.

Mr Richard John, area manager for Leisure Connection which runs the pool on behalf of South Holland District Council, said: "The light has broken either from pressure of the water building up or water getting in behind the fitment and popping it out."

Staff kept the learner pool open to keep youngsters' disappointment to a minimum.
But adults and children wanting to use the main pool were turned away...

District council leisure and tourism facilities manager Chris Cook said yesterday (Monday): "The contractors are working through the night tonight and the water in the diving pit has been heated so that it can be transferred to the main pool once the repairs are finished."
The closure will have no revenue implications for the council as takings are kept by Leisure Connection.

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