Improvements to the running of Spalding swimming pool are already evident, South Holland District Council’s cabinet was told on Tuesday.(Nov 8)
A task group of councillors which looked into complaints from the public on hygiene and the pools’ water temperature being too cold was reporting its findings and recommendations.
The council contracts 1Life to run the Castle Sports Complex.
Task group member Coun Angela Newton, speaking on behalf of absent chairman Coun Graham Dark, said: “1Life has started some corrective work and there are already some improvements.”
As reported in The Voice last week, one of the key recommendations is that a full-time cleaner is employed.
Portfolio holder for community, Coun Gary Taylor, is the member for Castle ward and a pool user. He wanted clarification on what hours the cleaner would work.
Coun Newton replied: “Not necessarily 9 to 5 but hours that fitted in with when we thought it was necessary.”
The meeting heard that the new staff member would not lead to a variation of the contract between 1Life and the council.
Coun Newton also reported that some of the reason for the failing of a blue overshoes policy was that there was no seating earmarked for it, but this was now resolved.
Coun Taylor said his understanding was that flooring was being replaced and some toilet facilities were being improved in the coming weeks. Improved signage was a “positive” too.
He added: “There is a myth that people are going elsewhere. That is not true.
“Last year there were 168,000 users, which was a dramatic increase for the swimming pool. We should take note of that rather than some speculation.”
The report underlined that the swimming pool is “designed for competitive swimming and general fitness (not leisure)” and found that the main pool water temperature was in line with that.
