Leisure centre back on track
Feedback forms have shown users feel the facilities were cleaner and offered better customer service as well as value for money.
But there are still a significant number who remain unhappy with cleanliness at both sites on the edge of Rothamsted Park.
A progress report was given to St Albans City and District Council’s Local Services Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 5 November.
The survey was undertaken in September to gauge the impact of a series of measures taken in response to complaints.
Changes included the appointment of a new General Manager to oversee both the pool and sports centre.
More regular cleaning was introduced with daily checks being made on the work.
Centre staff underwent intensive customer service training sessions.
The pool’s health suite was given a £50,000 upgrade and rebranded as the Live Well Spa. Its reception area was refurbished with new flooring and décor as well as the introduction of hot drinks and snack machines.
The Local Services Scrutiny Committee set up the Leisure Facilities Task and Finish Group group to review the pool and centre last year.
A customer satisfaction survey in February this year identified areas where improvements were needed and the changes were made. The latest survey was to determine whether the measures were a success.
Councillor Anthony Rowlands, Chair of the Leisure Facilities Task and Finish Group for St Albans City and District Council, said: “It is pleasing to know that there has been an improvement after a shocking deterioration in service standards was exposed a year ago.
“Clearly, there is still some work to do and we will be looking at this issue again in the coming months.
“These are very important community assets for Harpenden and we want to make sure that they are kept in first class condition.”
Harpenden Swimming Pool and Sports Centre is run on behalf of the Council by leisure operators 1Life.
Information about the pool and sports centre can be found on: http://www.1life.co.uk/st-albans-city-district-council/harpenden-swimming-pool/home/
The webcast of this Committee meeting has now been archived. Should you wish to view it please contact Elizabeth Heath on 01727 819519 or email: Elizabeth.Heath@stalbans.gov.uk
The agenda and papers for the meeting are available at: http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=389.
Councillor contact:
Councillor Anthony Rowlands, Chair of the the Leisure Facilities Task and Finish Group of the Local Services Scrutiny Committee of St Albans City & District Council. Tel: 07761-232064 Email: anthonyrowlands@hotmail.com
Contact for the media:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City & District Council
Tel: 01727 296130
E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk