NFDC defends decision on running of leisure centres despite complaints about pool temperatures, cancellations and building works
THE decision to outsource the running of New Forest leisure centres has been defended by the district council despite complaints about building work, swim session cancellations and the lowering of pool temperatures.
As reported in the A&T, the Conservative-run council handed over management of its centres at Lymington, New Milton, Applemore, Ringwood and Totton to Freedom Leisure despite public opposition.
Cllr Geoff Blunden, the cabinet member for partnering and wellbeing, told a meeting of the council on Monday that the decision was justified in response to a question by Cllr Alex Wade of the Lib Dem opposition.
Cllr Wade said examples of complaints that had been raised with him included delays to building work at Applemore, repeated cancellations of public and family swim sessions due to staffing issues, the lowering of the pool temperatures and issues with changing rooms.
He asked: "It has been nearly 18 months since Freedom Leisure took over NFDC leisure centre management – do you think the current performance levels have justified this decision?"
Cllr Blunden replied: "The short answer is yes.
"Health and fitness memberships have grown by 54% since the date of transfer and the numbers on the learn to swim programme have grown by 57% [and] over 4,600 people now attend swimming lessons at our leisure centres each week for 50 weeks of the year."
He added the operator had provided a number of promotional offers to encourage residents to join and said the a healthy communities manager had been appointed to oversee the active lifestyles programmes, which has had 378 referrals in last 12 months."
He added: "I recognise the significant challenges impacting Freedom Leisure with regards to the energy crisis and understand the difficult decisions it is making.
"I am aware some users have disliked some of the measures taken to reduce significant cost increases but it is right we show our support as they continue to work towards ensuring the financial viability and sustainability of all the leisure centres."
Freedom Leisure also recently turned off saunas and steam rooms at the five centres in an effort to lower its energy bills.