Battle to keep North Wiltshire's leisure centres open (From This Is Wiltshire)

News RSS Feed

Battle to keep North Wiltshire's leisure centres open

8:34pm Friday 16th February 2007

All six leisure centres in North Wiltshire will be closed on Tuesday, unless the council pulls off a miracle.

After lengthy negotiations with North Wiltshire District Council the trust that runs the centres has guaranteed to keep them open until 10pm on Monday.

After that point the centres will shut, NWLL goes into liquidation, and the responsibility falls to the council and its new leisure contractor, DC Leisure, to provide leisure services.

The Gazette understands a deal for DC Leisure to take over the centres immediately broke down this afternoon because of difficulties over transferring staff contracts.

The council is desperate to avoid the embarrassment of having closed notices on all of its centres during half-term week.

It is working frantically to broker an agreement between NWLL and DC Leisure that will ensure the centres stay open beyond Monday night.

The council has not yet guaranteed an agreement of this sort because DC Leisure was only expecting to take over on April 1, and as such, the centres are heading for closure on Monday evening.

If this happens it will be disastrous for the White Horse in Calne and Cricklade leisure centre, because they have been left out of council plans to keep centres open.

The doors will close, boilers switched off, pools drained and they may never open again.

The situation is different for the Olympiad, Springfield, Malmesbury and Lime Kiln in Wootton Bassett. These four will re-open on April 1 when DC Leisure takes up the contract to run them under council jurisdiction.

Unless the council can convince DC Leisure to take over on Tuesday all six centres will close. There are a number of obstacles to overcome before DC Leisure agrees to take on the contract including leisure centre staff contracts. NWLL has stipulated that the terms and conditions enjoyed by staff must continue unchanged. It is one of the few guarantees it secured from the council during tense crisis talks today.

Now the council must convince DC Leisure to take on every member of staff on the same contracts until April 1.

On this date the company can legally re-organise the staff quota at each of the four centres it has agreed to keep open. Staff at White Horse and Cricklade will not automatically lose their jobs. Instead, every employee will be required to re-apply for his or her job and the best will be kept on to continue to run the Olympiad, Springfield, Malmesbury and Lime Kiln.

Over the weekend leisure centre users can continue to swim and play sport.

The council faces continuing crisis talks on Monday as it tries to keep the centres open and all just three months away from the local elections.

However, NWLL, the troubled trust that has tried and failed to run our six leisure centres, will give up control on Monday, and disappear for good.

Mike Buckley, chairman of the trust, said: "All efforts will be made to operate a full service until this time, subject to meeting all health and safety obligations.

"Unless a transfer of staff and service to another provider can be guaranteed by 10.00pm on Monday 19th February all centres will be closed."

Print article » Email to a friend »

Your Say YourThis Is Wiltshire

Simon M, Chippenham says...
9:22pm Fri 16 Feb 07

???? up in a brewery springs to mind. well done NWDC for dropping parents right in the mire, well done for letting down all the people that fund the towns. well done for letting all the kids and athletes down. these leisure centres have been running for years and years then suddenly it all goes wrong WHY ?

Report this post »

user, wilts says...
9:26pm Fri 16 Feb 07

what has gone wrong - lets hope they are happy with the decision made and lets hope for a 'miracle'
users of all 6 centre have been betrayed

Report this post »

club swimmer, chip says...
9:35pm Fri 16 Feb 07

i'm a club swimmer. where am i to train, swim and keep fit for competitions. more kids wil b on the streets - good job we have the new shelters

Report this post »

anon, wootton bassett says...
10:05pm Fri 16 Feb 07

Perhaps NWDC should be mindful of the stress that this is causing staff who work at these sites. The failure to find a resolution due the incomptence of NWDC to take responsibility and keep these sites open until a provider can be found, is putting intolerable stresses on staff. Staff dont know if they have a job from one day to the next. North Wilts Beware! You are playing with peoples lives and security. Sort this out quickly and let the staff that have had to endure this complete fiasco over the last few months enjoy a restful nights sleep.

Report this post »

E wiltshire, Wootton Bassett says...
10:08pm Fri 16 Feb 07

Thanks - I put two sobbing children to bed tonight - desperate to keep their sports centre and swimming. My 6 year old swam her first length yesterday.

Report this post »

Dismayed, Chippenham says...
10:18pm Fri 16 Feb 07

I DO Hope the councillors sleep well tonight and have a good weekend. For myself as an employee of NWLL I will be sick with worry for the next few days.

Report this post »

Sad, says...
10:21pm Fri 16 Feb 07

Tonight at work has been the toughest ever experienced. With staff members beng told that they will be unmployed on Monday night is devastating. Our customers do not know what to expect and have loyally supported the centres for years only to be 'thanked' in the cruelest way from an incompetent, ignorant council. The idiots wo have allowed the centres to close are tucked up tightly in their beds tonight with the knowledge that they have jobs on Monday. In regards to their 'desperate'attempt at finding an agreement to continue leisure provsion in Wiltshire, perhaps they should have made themselves available this weekend to continue disussions and finding a resolution instead of turning their backs on our entire community.

Report this post »

Josh age 9, says...
10:24pm Fri 16 Feb 07

Where will I swim?

Report this post »

ANON, Chippenham says...
10:41pm Fri 16 Feb 07

I will tell you what has gone wrong Simon M. NWDC didn't see a good deal when it was put in front of them. Wycombe Leisure LTD (WLL) put together a very tenable 3 year recovery plan which would have left NWLL debt free, instead WLL have been lied to and kicked in the guts. The council exec now need to start taking the responsibility for this holy mess they have created. **** up in a brewery - totally agree, maybe the council tax payers need to start asking some serious questions.
Don't worry the council employees will all be getting their lease cars, pay rises and regrades this year. NWLL employees have had no pay rise for 3 years and now they have no jobs at all.

Report this post »

Disappointed, says...
10:50pm Fri 16 Feb 07

If NWDC is so 'desperate' to broker a deal to ensure the leisure centres keep running over half term and beyond, how come we haven't seen hide nor hair of a councillor at our centre during the entire period that NWLL has been under scrutiny. Staff at all 6 sites are being expected to work under conditions that are completely unacceptable. They are finding out information from customers and websites before official announcements are made, with no idea whether or not they will continue to have employment after Monday evening. Yet they are still expected to continue service as normal over the weekend with ever more difficult questions being posed by customers that we simply have no answer to. Please bear in mind that it is not the front line staff who caused this **** up when you use the centres this weekend. Please direct your anger at those who really should be held accountable.

Report this post »

Jon - Corsham, Corsham says...
10:57pm Fri 16 Feb 07

What a disgrace! How can NWDC have allowed it to come to this? How can they let down our children like this? Where are they going to swim & dance etc? What about the staff who have tried their best to keep to keep the centres running over the last few year despite obvious under investment? Its disgusting!

Report this post »

Adrian, Chippenham says...
11:34pm Fri 16 Feb 07

Just how much of a mess is NWDC actually in? I expect that the NWLL saga is just the tip of a very big iceberg! The whole Council is rotten and incapable.
This is the same Council who should collect the bins in my street on a Wednesday, but often don't bother to turn up until Saturday.
This is the same Council who wrote to me asking for my signature to confirm my postal voting status, but didn't sign their own letter, or even bother to use headed paper!
I know that the staff at the Leisure Centres do a great job, I'm sure the binmen work hard, but the management just isn't there. That lets down dedicated staff as well as frustrated local rate payers.
When did a Councillor last vist a NWLL Centre? I regularly swim at Calne and the way that the building is deteriorating is plain to see. Its clean, the staff are welcoming, but the building is worn, it hasn't been maintained, it hasn't been managed . It doesn't take a genius to notice that a ceiling tile has been missing for months in the mens wet changing room, or that most of the lockers don't have keys. Similarly it doesn't take a genius to work out that if these minor things aren't being repaired then that is a sign of deeper troubles.
I can't wait for the candidates to come knocking on my door at election time - but sadly by then my regluar swims in Calne pool will probably be nothing more than a memory. And worse still, people will have lost their jobs!

Report this post »

User, chippenham says...
12:30am Sat 17 Feb 07

What exactly have we as tax payers been contributing too? Have we been merely making our monthly contributions to the council so that they can afford nice chairs to sit their fat arses on, instead of investing in the leisure centres that would help them to improve their health and their comprehension of the mess that the council have created. Shame on NWDC. Shame on the ugly manner in which they have dealt with the leisure centres. Shame on them for allowing this shameful mess from occurring in the first instance.

Report this post »

martin, malmesbury says...
12:36am Sat 17 Feb 07

I am not a happy man the closure of our centre is some shock i cant understand how we can be in this dire situtation .We as a town waited years for our centre and now for it to close ,great well done NWLL .

Report this post »

Carla Marygold, Calne says...
6:52am Sat 17 Feb 07

I attended a meeting last night at the leisure centre and during this meeting we were informed that NWDC have been offered a vast amount of money for the site, maybe this is why its been allowed to run into disrepair. Lets hope everyone in May will remember all the people who let the children, staff & local people down and vote them out.

Report this post »

Angry Member of the Public, Wiltshire says...
8:49am Sat 17 Feb 07

I am furious that I have joined a club and now they are going to close.What are we spending our taxes on via the Council if they cannot supply a sport facility in Wiltshire. Absolutely Disgusting the way this company has been run. Sort it out Wiltshire Council or you will have the whole of Wiltshire on your doorstep night and day demanding a basic facility that other councils around the country run perfectly well. This is the start of a major protest coming your way...

Report this post »

anon, calne says...
9:05am Sat 17 Feb 07

What a shambles. This whole mess should have been dealt with years ago when the cracks first started to show.

Instead of thumping more and more tax payers money into the ailing NWLL, why-o-why did NWDC not negotiate a deal to save all 6 leisure centre earlier. This attitude of "we'll save this one, dump that one, tough" shows utter contempt for the communities they have been elected to serve. Surely it is not beyond reasonable thought that NWDC can find a decent leisure provider willing to run centres in its 6 market towns. Looks like Calne & Cricklade will loose out due to the age of the buildings. Perhaps if NWDC were serious about meeting their 25 commitments they would come up with a rolling capital investment programme to bring these two buildings up to standard and make up for years of underinvestment and mismanagement. That would leave a new leisure management firm in the position of being able to concentrate on increasing revenue and stabilising the present financial mess.

Bring on the ballot box!

Report this post »

Jo, Cricklade says...
9:13am Sat 17 Feb 07

NWDC need to be called to answer over this sorry mess. Where was the governance and supervision of NWLL ?
NWDC have been giving our council tax to this company, throwing money into a bottomless pit by all accounts - I too will wait with interest for the councillors to come knocking on my door wanting support in a couple of months. Lets keep this in the media, the people of north wiltshire are entitled to know what has happened to the money - and there are people who can give the answers - they should come forward, for the sake of the employees and for all the children who have been let down. Shame on you NWDC.

Report this post »

upset, Wiltshire says...
9:45am Sat 17 Feb 07

I am absolutely dismayed at the way NWDC has handled this situation. For the past 12 months they have been given monthly financial figures as well as other information, what have they done with this? It is clearly apparent that they have either ignored it because they cant be bothered or they chose to dismiss it because they wanted NWLL to fail and centres to shut. It appears that NWDC have been talking to DC leisure for some time now and didnt even look at the recovery plans they asked WLL to produce.
As for the way they have communicated all information, it is a disgrace and someone needs to be made accountable.
How is it possible that information was made public about the possibility of centres having to shut BEFORE the meeting between NWLL and NWDC was over? The council has released (leaked) information early which has prevented NWLL management and the board being able to inform the staff before they hear it from members of the public. I cannot fathom the reasons behind this, yes everyone has the right to know and there are still a lot more questions to be asked of the council, but have the decency to allow NWLL to tell staff first that they might not have a job on Tuesday.
During the last 36 hours I have gone through more emotions than in the rest of my life.
To all involved in this farce at NWDC:
You have let all the residents down, you have kicked us in the teeth and you are kicking us when we are down. You should all be ashamed and do the honourable thing: keep the centres open and then resign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please come knocking on my door asking for my vote, please, please

Report this post »

ANNETTE LAMBOURNE, CALNE says...
9:53am Sat 17 Feb 07

My friend has booked a party for her daughter at calne next saturday and now has no where to go and has also paid in full for the use of the pool how disappointing for her child!!!!

Report this post »

STAFF - WHITE HORSE LEISURE CENTRE, White Horse Leisure Centre says...
12:10pm Sat 17 Feb 07

MEETING AT THE WHITE HORSE LEISURE ON MONDAY 20:00 19TH FEBRUARY 2007. LEISURE PROVIDER COMMITS TO MANAGING THE WHITE HORSE LEISURE ONE MINUTE AFTER CLOSURE BY NWDC. ATHENA LEISURE WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT - NO SUPPORT NO LEISURE CENTRE

Report this post »

Annoyed, Lincolnshire says...
12:46pm Sat 17 Feb 07

My daughter works at one of these centres and she is obviously very upset and annoyed by the treatment they have received from the council. As someone who has worked with local authorities for many years, I am not at all surprised by the the council's attitude and the way in which they have treated their staff. They should be ashamed, but I doubt if they will see it that way. Deal with them at the ballot box in May. However, why not encourage the staff at these centres to run them? They will have far better knowledge than any 'politician' of the needs of their customers, and suspect they would do a very good job.

Report this post »

LEISURE CENTRE STAFF, NORTH WILTSHIRE says...
1:44pm Sat 17 Feb 07

NOTICE FROM LEISURE CENTRE STAFF. If all residents in North Wiltshire feel as aggrieved as we do about the closure of our leisure centres I would emplore that you attend the NWDC offices on Monday morning to protest as is your right. Ladies and gentleman we need to your support to prevent our centres closing.

Report this post »

angry, North Wilts says...
1:58pm Sat 17 Feb 07

I heard a rumour Ms O'Gorman is running for Parliament. Is this so she can close all Leisure Centre's ??

Report this post »

Phillipa, Cricklade says...
2:47pm Sat 17 Feb 07

I am so upset at the closure of these facilities. I am a disabled mother of 2 and have been swimming at Cricklade for nearly 20 years. I also help fun the Cricklade half marathon set up to support the leisure centre when it first opened - we attract over 700 people every year. over 40 local people help to run this prestigious event. It is an outrage!

Report this post »

Devasted :(, Chippenham says...
2:51pm Sat 17 Feb 07

If we all want to be as unfit as Carol O'gorman...then fine close the pool's, the gym's!

What happened to encouraging 'healthy lifestyles'?!!

Report this post »

Andrew, Chippenham says...
3:34pm Sat 17 Feb 07

If you want to make sure the culprits of this mess don't end up in charge of any more of your tax payers money simply remember to vote them OUT at the next council elections. It's about time that the leading Liberal Democrats got booted where it hurts! they've made a mess of more than the leisure centres and got away with most of it till now.

Report this post »

tax payer, wiltshire says...
4:14pm Sat 17 Feb 07

the closure of these six centres is an utter disgrace.
NWDC do not have the capability to sort this problem out now, it needs the goverment to step in and start asking questions to the councilors. we now need to start making our feelings felt much higher up the ladder. money can be found for a rainy, don't you think its pouring now

Report this post »

worker@nwll, chippenham says...
5:50pm Sat 17 Feb 07

Everyone needs to be at council offices/olympiad at 9am monday when board meets-we are all going to be unemployed at 10pm monday if noone takes on the company-and yes cricklade and white horse are closing anyway on monday night no matter what-and the council have been very unhelpful where staff are concerned and even if dc leisure take it on still 100 of us are being made redundant-and at the moment if they close monday at 10pm and we have been told is a big possibility then 400 will be unemployed and noone will be paid for this month or redundant payments paid-all down to the council and lack of communication from the council.....theres a surprise.All to save face for the elections!-this has been planned to do do since before Christmas-there never was a repreve for the sites closing or reduntancys

Report this post »

unknown, chippenham says...
6:18pm Sat 17 Feb 07

I think what is happeneing is disgusting? What is going to happen to all the staff do they look for over jobs in the mean time or do they wait for DC leisure to take them over and then pray that they have a job? What about all us parents who have paid for our children to go to kidszone and for people like myself that have recently paid £185 for a 6 months membership are the council going to refund me? Or should i not pay my council tax until it adds up to £185? I dont see how this can happen lets all be honest as soon as the centres shut their will be a lot more youths on the street. The council have treated us and the staff so bad it is shocking. I just hope the council have thought about this due to when you shut a leisure centre down for a long period of time and re-open it who will be interested we would have all found new places for our children to swim and new places to go to the gym? The staff at all of the sites are such nice people i really feel for them because they are innocent people with familys and bills to pay out how is this going to be possible?

Report this post »

Parent, Corsham says...
9:15pm Sat 17 Feb 07

I think it is disgusting the way that the council can take away the Leisure Centres that add so much to the quality of life for so many people, adults and children alike.
What do we pay our taxes for? I really feel for the people that could lose their jobs, through miss-mamagement by the council. My daughter has very recently paid an annual fee of £350.00. What happens to this? She also using the creche for her two year old, what does he do know?
He has settled there and made many friends. Lets get our MP to raise the matter in the House. See what Tony thinks of our council.

Report this post »

Going Ballistic, Corsham says...
10:04pm Sat 17 Feb 07

I am very angry. Less than three weeks ago I renewed my membership for another year paying £350. This is supposed to mean "unlimited" use of the gym, fitness classes, pool and Health suite, suddenly I am feeling very limited! For many like myself, fitness is a way of life so what are we suppose we do for six weeks! This is affecting so many people. I feel for the parents who have booked (and paid) for their children to use the Kidzone over half term. Get it sorted!

Report this post »

Richard Beauvoisin, Chippenham says...
11:48pm Sat 17 Feb 07

This is dreadful. We run the Ceroc classes every Thursday night in the Olympiad and everyone loves being at the leisure centre. the staff are great and its always well run.

So many people get enjoyment out of being there that it simply has to stay open and the funds required to operate till April will just have to be found by someone or lots of adults and children will be very unhappy.

It takes a lot to get people to a leisure centre in the first place and once they close these people may never go back. Please find a way!

Report this post »

customer, Chippenham says...
12:29am Sun 18 Feb 07

The buildings are run-down, council support is non-existent but the staff of the centres go about their job with professionalism and politeness. They are doing a **** fine job in difficult circumstances. I hope the press and the public will support those people because they are affected as much as the customer. All the staff have shown committment and endeavour. I sincerely hope the new employer will give these people the opportunity to prove themsleves as a very able and committed workforce. Good luck to everyone.

Report this post »

Getting angrier, Calne says...
8:26am Sun 18 Feb 07

Richard Cayborne - Sports Ministers e-mail address. cabornr@parliament.uk

The easiest / quickest way into someone who should care in the hierarchy! I hope there's a lot of people at NWDC offices on Monday morning - it's half term and a opportunity for kids to show what they feel about how they're being treated! Do NWDC know they're useless and this is why they want WCC to take over?

Report this post »

Concerned Granny, Wiltshire says...
8:44am Sun 18 Feb 07

I contacted Lime Kiln and the Olympiad last week regarding swimming lessons should White Horse Leisure centre close. The Olympiad staff responded quickly and their response was enthusiastic. I'm still waiting to hear from Lime Kiln. If this is the case was this the best option for being kept open? NWDC may think the battle is won - BUT I ASSURE THEM THE WAR IS FAR FROM OVER!

Report this post »

coach@nwll, chippenham says...
10:12am Sun 18 Feb 07

I think Mrs O gorman should have stuck to selling over priced trinkets in her shops in Calne-we have had NO SUPPORT through the whole procedure-all 400 of us may be out of work MOnday at 10pm and 100 will DEFINATELY still loose our jobs even if DC ever take over-we dont even know if we will be paid this month or our reduntantcy moneys which are rightfully ours-and were suppose to still pay our council tax?!!!!
If you want to show support for the STAFF aswell-MEET 9AM council offices MONDAY-Tv cameras will be there to-just still wondering how the heck Im going to pay morgage next month.Mormally atleast you get some notice of redunantcy-weve had no support and mostly hear about whats happening once its in the press.Yet we still have to keep the centres going and today-even though we could be unpaid and out of work tomorrow.

Report this post »

Thank you, Leisure Centre Staff says...
10:56am Sun 18 Feb 07

Thank you to all of our customers and the residents of North Wiltshire who had added their comments in support of keeping our leisure centres open. Eventhough our staff are doubtful about being paid this month and may be unemployed by tomorrow night, everyone has turned in for work this weekend, have worked extremely hard and have smiled through it all. Our staff are committed to the centre customers and to keeping the centres open. It is very encouraging to see that there is so much support for the centres in the community. All of the staff have refraned from imparting their personal feelings to the press and have remained professional through all of this. our customers have been great this weekend and very supportive. Please keep your comments coming and show your support for our centres. NWDC need to know how the community feels.

Report this post »

Martyn Matthews, Corsham says...
2:29pm Sun 18 Feb 07

I have been using the Corsham & Chippenham centres since moving here in 1987. Not many days have been missed. I am amazed at the way the centres have been expected to function with a detached and irresponsible 'management' for so long. In my experience it is wise to listen to the staff operating on the job. Why are the ideas ignored by the arms length NWDC (Never Will Deliver Competence). I am shocked that the staff are advised of the situation only after the public become aware of it. How considerate is that when your job is on the line! If the team at Corsham are a reflection of the whole team under NWLL, that will be a major loss, as they continue to be self motivated, enthusiastic and helpful to the customers. If the Executive are not capable of retaining the open facilities they should stop hiding in secret meetings, make themselves known, and resign. Try the private sector - you will learn the meaning of competence very quickly. Oh and by the way, you were happy to take £350 renewal fee off me during January - I find it difficult to believe it was not known this was coming then. The Marie Curie Cancer Care charity is the beneficiary of the National Swimathon in March. Would the NWLL / NWDC team like to donate my fees to that as they have killed the event for 2007.

Report this post »

Calne resident, calne says...
2:43pm Sun 18 Feb 07

ALL residents of North Wiltshire have been grossly let down by NWDC. The Council has failed to upkeep, and plan for leisure provision in the short, medium and long term. Ensuring facilities for us, our children and their children. When NWLL took over running the centres the council must have rubbed their hands together, walked away and buried their heads in the sand.
If other councils throughout the country have planned for the future to provide new leisure facilities to take over from old facilities why has NWDC negleted to do this? Rotherham, Yorkshire is currently building 4 new leisure facilities to take over from old ones. Is that not partly why we pay our council tax? Residents of North Wiltshire deserve an answer. Staff will lose their jobs, pay, redundancy money, their homes. How will they pay their bills? What do they do after Monday - sign on the dole?
Many customers use the centre for many different reasons and the closures will greatly impact negatively on their daily routines and lives.
School children will not have the chance to go swimming as part of their Curriculum and some may not have the opportunity to learn to swim at all!!!!
Customers who use the centres to keep fit for life will suffer. Especially those who have medical conditions who use the centres to make their life bearable and help hasten their recovery. Sports people training for competitions what will they do how will they reach their goals. Its tragic for Sports development in the county at any level.
How will NWDC provide facilities to carry out the Government initiatives to combat Obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease etc. not only in adults but children? GP Referral schemes, Falls prevention initiatives......... and so on.
A public enquiry is needed to give answers to why:
a. Why the Centres were not monitored by the council from day one.
b. why nothing was done when it started to go wrong more than 3 years ago when they were informed of the situation?
c. If DC Leisure step in what can it achieve in 18 months without a large cash input and drastic changes?
(The council has already had advice from NWLL, Wycome Leisure, Strategic Leisure!!! How much more advice is needed before the penny drops and they formulate a realistic plan of action and stop wasting tax payers money?)
d. Why did the council turn down the 3 year recovery plan (no debt after 3 years) that WLL put forward?
e. Are they going to tell us why they turned down Cricklade and the White Horse Leisure Centre rescue plans down? Will they reconsider and work with the industry partners to save the centres for the said communities?
It seems that too much talking is going on behind closed doors and too many meetings about previous meetings are taking place. Information is being discussed and proposals from external providers are being swept under the carpet. It all needs to be in the public domain and let the residents vote and decide what they want for their communities and future generations because NWDC don't come across as being in touch with reality for the general public.

ALL residents of North Wiltshire have been grossly let down by NWDC. The Council has failed to upkeep, and plan for leisure provision in the short, medium and long term. Ensuring facilities for us, our children and their children. When NWLL took over running the centres the council must have rubbed their hands together, walked away and buried their heads in the sand. If other councils throughout the country have planned for the future to provide new leisure facilities to take over from old facilities why has NWDC negleted to do this? Rotherham, Yorkshire is currently building 4 new leisure facilities to take over from old ones. Is that not partly why we pay our council tax? Residents of North Wiltshire deserve an answer. Staff will lose their jobs, pay, redundancy money, their homes. How will they pay their bills? What do they do after Monday - sign on the dole? Many customers use the centre for many different reasons and the closures will greatly impact negatively on their daily routines and lives. School children will not have the chance to go swimming as part of their Curriculum and some may not have the opportunity to learn to swim at all!!!! Customers who use the centres to keep fit for life will suffer. Especially those who have medical conditions who use the centres to make their life bearable and help hasten their recovery. Sports people training for competitions what will they do how will they reach their goals. Its tragic for Sports development in the county at any level. How will NWDC provide facilities to carry out the Government initiatives to combat Obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease etc. not only in adults but children? GP Referral schemes, Falls prevention initiatives......... and so on. A public enquiry is needed to give answers to why: a. Why the Centres were not monitored by the council from day one. b. why nothing was done when it started to go wrong more than 3 years ago when they were informed of the situation? c. If DC Leisure step in what can it achieve in 18 months without a large cash input and drastic changes? (The council has already had advice from NWLL, Wycome Leisure, Strategic Leisure!!! How much more advice is needed before the penny drops and they formulate a realistic plan of action and stop wasting tax payers money?) d. Why did the council turn down the 3 year recovery plan (no debt after 3 years) that WLL put forward? e. Are they going to tell us why they turned down Cricklade and the White Horse Leisure Centre rescue plans down? Will they reconsider and work with the industry partners to save the centres for the said communities? It seems that too much talking is going on behind closed doors and too many meetings about previous meetings are taking place. Information is being discussed and proposals from external providers are being swept under the carpet. It all needs to be in the public domain and let the residents vote and decide what they want for their communities and future generations because NWDC don't come across as being in touch with reality for the general public.

Report this post »

Very Angry, Calne says...
2:59pm Sun 18 Feb 07

I hope thousands of North Wiltshire residents converge on the council offices so that the councilers know how it feels to be terrified as the Cricklade Leisure Centre staff were on Friday when they were mobbed by protesters and the centre rampaged and damaged. This is just a sign of things to come.

Report this post »

Disgusted with NWDC, Chippenham says...
3:05pm Sun 18 Feb 07

NWDC you should be ashamed. I have visited The Olympiad this morning and it was so busy, well done to all the staff who have contiued with dignity and profesionalism not knowing if they will be paid or if they even have a job to go to on Tuesday morning.

Report this post »

Common Sense, chipp says...
3:21pm Sun 18 Feb 07

I am completely gob smacked that NWDC think they can shut all the leisure centres for 6 weeks and then re-open them on the 1st April. Wake up you morons!!
If the centres are closed the following is what you will be faced with:
« All the pools will need to be drained ¡V who is going to do this the staff will be un-employed by Tuesday, it takes time to do this.
« All the pumps will cease up and will cost thousands to fix.
« Centres are bound to be broken into (as you can see by the retards in Cricklade they are not even going to wait until the centre is shut).
« To refill the pools this will take over a week!
« More than 50% of the current staff will find alternative permanent employment (even DC Leisure can¡¦t find that many new staff in 6 weeks).
« Will any customers come back? Imagine all the children that are currently doing swimming lessons, if we close now they are owed half a terms lessons. Now are DC going to give the first half term lessons for Free? This will not help their cash flow for the first 6 months.
« All the Activa members who have paid upfront will expect to be refunded for the period closed or at least have this time added on, even less income from DC.
« The liquidators will no doubt raid the centres of all NWLL assets, at least if another contractor comes in now they have about a month to replace these items before they are removed.

I am sure I have missed many other points but I think you get the gist. You have not thought this one through to its proper conclusion. Again and again you all astound me with your lack of intelligence and forward thinking.
You can blame NWLL all you want and I am certain they have made a number of serious mistakes over the last 7 years but the buck stops with you. NWDC have never contract managed NWLL correctly; with all your resources you should have spotted any and all issues sooner instead of burying your heads in the sand WAKE UP.

Have a good long think over the weekend and let common sense prevail, listen to all the comments on this site, and listen to the tax payers for once.
NWDC is constantly carrying out public consultations and I would bet my mortgage that none of these have had the response from the residents of North Wiltshire like the response you are currently getting.

Time for common sense! I agree that some sites may have to close but under no circumstances should all the sites be allowed to close. Cricklade loses huge amounts of money and would be a dead weight around any business¡¦s neck. If the residents want to run it let them but don¡¦t give them any more money, use this to refurbish Springfield, The Olympiad, Lime Kiln and to keep TAZ looking good.

I implore you to make the right decision!!!!!!!!!

I am completely gob smacked that NWDC think they can shut all the leisure centres for 6 weeks and then re-open them on the 1st April. Wake up you morons!! If the centres are closed the following is what you will be faced with: « All the pools will need to be drained ¡V who is going to do this the staff will be un-employed by Tuesday, it takes time to do this. « All the pumps will cease up and will cost thousands to fix. « Centres are bound to be broken into (as you can see by the retards in Cricklade they are not even going to wait until the centre is shut). « To refill the pools this will take over a week! « More than 50% of the current staff will find alternative permanent employment (even DC Leisure can¡¦t find that many new staff in 6 weeks). « Will any customers come back? Imagine all the children that are currently doing swimming lessons, if we close now they are owed half a terms lessons. Now are DC going to give the first half term lessons for Free? This will not help their cash flow for the first 6 months. « All the Activa members who have paid upfront will expect to be refunded for the period closed or at least have this time added on, even less income from DC. « The liquidators will no doubt raid the centres of all NWLL assets, at least if another contractor comes in now they have about a month to replace these items before they are removed. I am sure I have missed many other points but I think you get the gist. You have not thought this one through to its proper conclusion. Again and again you all astound me with your lack of intelligence and forward thinking. You can blame NWLL all you want and I am certain they have made a number of serious mistakes over the last 7 years but the buck stops with you. NWDC have never contract managed NWLL correctly; with all your resources you should have spotted any and all issues sooner instead of burying your heads in the sand WAKE UP. Have a good long think over the weekend and let common sense prevail, listen to all the comments on this site, and listen to the tax payers for once. NWDC is constantly carrying out public consultations and I would bet my mortgage that none of these have had the response from the residents of North Wiltshire like the response you are currently getting. Time for common sense! I agree that some sites may have to close but under no circumstances should all the sites be allowed to close. Cricklade loses huge amounts of money and would be a dead weight around any business¡¦s neck. If the residents want to run it let them but don¡¦t give them any more money, use this to refurbish Springfield, The Olympiad, Lime Kiln and to keep TAZ looking good. I implore you to make the right decision!!!!!!!!!

Report this post »

annon2, north wilts says...
5:05pm Sun 18 Feb 07

The North Wilts Clls should be investigated by the disrict auditor and surcharged when the level of their incompetence is revealed. The original contract was flawed and does not appear to have followed proper compulsory competitive tendering procedures.Cll Moore tells us our money is being spent on more important things like environmental health - so why have NWDC got the smallest most overstretched department in Wiltshire? There must be some dire acounting going on and the money going somwhere. Not having a proper treasurer or finance officer could be a clue? What NWDC have done to the marvellous leisure centre staff and the people of north wilts is criminal.

Report this post »

Staff member, Chippenham says...
5:18pm Sun 18 Feb 07

As a staff member at NWLL I'd like to say a huge thank you to all the lovely people of North Wiltshire for your support. All the messages on this website, all your calls to the centres and your kind words are VERY appreciated.
I'd also like to thank Rick and the team at Wycombe Leisure who have also been treated badly by the council but who are continuing to give their whole herated support to the staff.
Many thanks to all of you who can get to the council offices tomorrow - I will be with you in spirit whilst at my post as usual tomorrow morning.
THANK YOU ALL.

Report this post »

Barbara, Calne says...
5:47pm Sun 18 Feb 07

I would like to know if what I have heard is true, that NWDC have already been offered a lot of money for the land that the WHLC is built on, and that it will be used for housing?

Is this what the community of Calne want?????

Report this post »

Feed up, Chippenham says...
7:25pm Sun 18 Feb 07

I moved to Chippenham with my family 10 years ago from Surrey to give my family a better way of life. Chippenham was a fantastic market town with a great community feel to the place. Unfortunately in the last 10 years I have seen a wonderful town pulled apart by the prats at the council who justify all the rate rises with the promises of improving services yet we lost the Cattle market, ( I understand this was not be directly down to the council) the 24/7 police station in Chippenham is to close the hospital is under threat of closure and the leisure centre has been shut. However in the town in the past 10 years the council has allowed more and more housing developments to go up increasing the general population of Chippenham without allowing for any new fasilites. If you want a Supermarket then come to Chippenham because those idiots at the Council will always allow a Supermarket and housing development, but if you want a Policeman or a casulty deptment or even to go for a swim you will need to get in your car and drive to swindon or Bristol.

Report this post »

Denise, Chippenham says...
7:28pm Sun 18 Feb 07

I am saddened and disgusted about what is happening to our local sports centres.I use the Olympiad on a weekly basis and wasn't even aware of how serious and desperate things had got!I, like all the people who have written comments above blame NWDC.I applaud all the staff for remaining so professional in what must be for them such a very stressful time.For me(like you all)I am left wondering "how far am I going to have to travel now to swim when I am within walking distance of a perfectly good sport's centre?!)It's so very sad :(

Report this post »

Very Angry, Chippenham says...
7:46pm Sun 18 Feb 07

Why did NWDC turn away the recovery plan presented by WLL that would have seen NWLL staff getting redundancey and pension entitlement and any members that had paid upfront getting a refund? Now what will they get from DC leisure? Not very well thought through NWDC!!!!

Report this post »

penny, cricklade says...
8:13pm Sun 18 Feb 07

this is a scandal. As a health care professional I can not believe the short sightedness of these impending closures. We need to be investing in our leisure facilities and encouraging more people to use them not closing them!
This is complete madness.

Report this post »

Glyn, Cricklade says...
9:13pm Sun 18 Feb 07

'Common Sense from Chipp' makes sense about some of his/her statements but I do take offence about his/her comments regarding Cricklade.

I was at Cricklade LC on Friday evening and there were no problems of any sort whilst I was there.

Anything that may have happened afterwards could have been by trouble makers from anywhere but it is wrong to make general remarks like "Centres are bound to be broken into (as you can see by the retards in Cricklade they are not even going to wait until the centre is shut)".

As regards, a comment from 'Very Angry, Calne', the staff have the full support of the residents of Cricklade and it is NWLL and ultimately NWDC that are to blame. There was no rampaging and intimidation and comments like those are misleading and scare-mongering.

Cricklade LC made money last year but unfortunately all the money was squandered by NWLL. It has suffered from years of neglect by the council and some investment is what was needed rather than to run the place down as it has been.

'Common Sense from Chipp' should be aware that whilst Chippenham has been shrouded by a comfort blanket through all this, Wootton Bassett, Calne and Cricklade have had closure looming over them all this time with the communitities fighting against the incompetence of the council. Sadly, due to the incompentence of NWDC all communities in North Wiltshire now have to face losing their leisure centres.

Calne and Cricklade leisure centres have just as much right to stay open and serve their communities. We pay our council tax, so why shouldn't the council pay towards them from their leisure provision.

There is too much of the 'I'm alright Jack' attitude and not enough attention paid to the bigger picture.

Report this post »

Past sad member of staff, North Wilts says...
9:52pm Sun 18 Feb 07

Niote to Gyln from Cricklade. Approach NWDC tomorrow for the accounts from Cricklade, Lime Kiln and White Horse for the past year. Then maybe when you write about profit making being squandered you will have an ounce of understnading that any profit it it is being made is being spent trying to run centres that cost a fortune and then some to run each month. The debt that NWLL has incurred can be ttributed mainly to debt incurred by a negative balance between insufficient grant from grant from NWDC, rising cost of inflation, increased taxes, major works needing to be carried out on old buildings that NWDC would not account for etc. The centres have had to cut their stafing ratios and often run with only 2 members of staff who are under paid and over worked. Its a grevious situation. Ask any staff member past and present and they will tell you what the situation is.

Granted NWLL has had management issues with past senior managers but they were only a small reason behind the current issues. NWDC have been asked time and time again for meetings and input, they were meant to attend advisory committee meetings but never turned up, they were never interested in the finances of the company and they completely breached the concept of working in partnership with NWLL from the get go.

The accounts of NWDC and NWLL are aailable for public consumption, so before blaming a compny for squandering funds be fully aware of your facts. An ill informed opinion will generate an ill inofrmed response like your.

Report this post »

resident, corsham says...
9:56pm Sun 18 Feb 07

May be the centres have closed in order to fund Carol O'Gormans mailing fetish at taxpayers expense. Or maybe they felt money would be best spent decorating each and every lamppost in Chippenham at Christmas? Although a resident of Corsham I do frequent Chippenham. However, over the past few years I have seen a slow deterioration of quality shops and amenities. It is so very sad to see the empty shops. And, what on earth is the point in having a further 2 new coffee shops in the town when soon there will be no shops to attract the prospective customer in the first place. The council are clueless, mindless dimwits led by a woman who sits on her elbow and leans on her arse (and its a big one at that)! Apparently, the Chippenham Heritage centre stands to receive a grant of £1.2million. Oh yes! I can just see everyone rushing to use that facility. Maybe all the staff and customers of the leisure centres can make use of the centre seeing as though they will have nothing to do with their time now? Typical council mentality - finance up to the hilt minority services used by few people and limit finance to services used by a majority of the public? NWDC smack of hypocrisy. They are nasty people obviously out for themselves. Their administration needs investigating and audited, promptly, followed by the boot. Surely, we do not have to tolerate their behaviour to the elections. Can they not be ousted by a vote of 'No Confidence?' Just to add insult to injury NWC want a further 4.8% of Council Tax from each and every taxpayer. What on earth for? Where does it go? Mores-to-the-point, who's pocket does it go in to?
1. Calne Police will shortly be reduced in manpower from 10 to 4.
2. There will no longer be front desk support from at least 4 Police Stations.
3. Chippenham hospital has had a reprieve - but for how long?
4. The sports centres are now closing.
5. The state of the roads around Chippenham are terrible. Pot-hole after pot-hole.
6. Increase in number of houses and residents which puts a strain on the existing infrastructure. Yet nothing is being done to improve this. But I guess to the council the more people who live in the area then the more tax they receive.

The councils are Take, Take. Take. NWDC need to be held accountable, but also where have North Wiltshire Council been in all of this. I want to know exactly where my money is going?

May be the centres have closed in order to fund Carol O'Gormans mailing fetish at taxpayers expense. Or maybe they felt money would be best spent decorating each and every lamppost in Chippenham at Christmas? Although a resident of Corsham I do frequent Chippenham. However, over the past few years I have seen a slow deterioration of quality shops and amenities. It is so very sad to see the empty shops. And, what on earth is the point in having a further 2 new coffee shops in the town when soon there will be no shops to attract the prospective customer in the first place. The council are clueless, mindless dimwits led by a woman who sits on her elbow and leans on her arse (and its a big one at that)! Apparently, the Chippenham Heritage centre stands to receive a grant of £1.2million. Oh yes! I can just see everyone rushing to use that facility. Maybe all the staff and customers of the leisure centres can make use of the centre seeing as though they will have nothing to do with their time now? Typical council mentality - finance up to the hilt minority services used by few people and limit finance to services used by a majority of the public? NWDC smack of hypocrisy. They are nasty people obviously out for themselves. Their administration needs investigating and audited, promptly, followed by the boot. Surely, we do not have to tolerate their behaviour to the elections. Can they not be ousted by a vote of 'No Confidence?' Just to add insult to injury NWC want a further 4.8% of Council Tax from each and every taxpayer. What on earth for? Where does it go? Mores-to-the-point, who's pocket does it go in to? 1. Calne Police will shortly be reduced in manpower from 10 to 4. 2. There will no longer be front desk support from at least 4 Police Stations. 3. Chippenham hospital has had a reprieve - but for how long? 4. The sports centres are now closing. 5. The state of the roads around Chippenham are terrible. Pot-hole after pot-hole. 6. Increase in number of houses and residents which puts a strain on the existing infrastructure. Yet nothing is being done to improve this. But I guess to the council the more people who live in the area then the more tax they receive. The councils are Take, Take. Take. NWDC need to be held accountable, but also where have North Wiltshire Council been in all of this. I want to know exactly where my money is going?

Report this post »

Tammy, Chippenham says...
10:12pm Sun 18 Feb 07

I lot of the comments I want to say have been said. This is a damnright disgrace and just shows how incompetant the management of these centres have been. I have done something I have never done before tonight and I have e-mailed the Prime Minister I would urge everyone else to do the same and voice there opinion. As we live in a democratic country and are allowed our say. Have your say. If enough of us e-mial, write etc then they cannot ignore all of us.

Report this post »

Jan, Wootton Bassett says...
10:58pm Sun 18 Feb 07

I agree with one of the comments above in a way at least Chippenham and Corsham know what a closure threat feels like now and we are all in the same mess. Thanks for the email tips I have used all three + Sir M Cambell to tell him that the Lib Dems are finished in NW and I will no longer vote for them as I have for the last 20 years. I ahve asked him to step in to sort them out.

Report this post »

Dan, Chippenham says...
12:20am Mon 19 Feb 07

Tammy - It is not the way the centres are managed but the way in which they are funded. NWDC have slashed budgets and refuse to communicate with the management at the centres. They are on their own doing a tough job in tough circumstances with no-one to help them. It is rumoured that the staff working this weekend are in effect working for nothing - no pay -nothing. Yet, through sheer professionalism and morals they continue to operate so you and I can still use the facilities that NWDC so clearly want us not to.

Jan - I bet the staff at Chippenham and Corsham really appreciate your insensitive comments. You were ALL in it together and as closure of any site is sad it was not the staff at Chippenham and Corsham who shut down the affected centres, it was NWDC. It has been a trying time for everyone at all 6 centres and no-one, least of all the staff at Chippenham and Corsham wanted any of the 6 sites to close or for anyone to lose their jobs.

Report this post »

helen, calne user says...
9:54am Mon 19 Feb 07

Does the council actually listen to what it's tax paying public want because it doesn't seem that way?! The staff at the centres are hard working and how have they been rewarded? By being put through the stress of not knowing whether they have a job and finding out about things that effect their lives secondhand! Thank you scott for your timely and appropriate advert but your gym is the last place I will be coming to!

Report this post »

Ian, Chippenham says...
10:22am Mon 19 Feb 07

err! Pledge 22 of councils 25 pledges to us on thier websitE. Its "Improving leisure opportunities"!!!!!! And they proudly boast how they spent 2.3m ona new pool at malmesbury, theone they are about to close.

Report this post »

Adrian, Chippenham says...
10:52am Mon 19 Feb 07

As suggested by several on here, I e-mailed the Leader of NWDC asking what was going on and pointing to a list of failings by NWDC in other areas. I have had no reply yet. OK its still early, but has anyone else e-mailed her - and got a response?

I note in one of Friday's reports the G&H reporter stated that she "wasn't answering her phone".

I expect somewhere in the 25 great pledges by NWDC is a pledge to respond to communications, ah but I forgot if pledge 22 is worthless, the other 24 probably are also!

So please, everyone who has e-mailed Mrs O'Gorman let us know if/when she answers.

Report this post »

Linda Nelson, says...
11:01am Mon 19 Feb 07

The staff at White Horse leisure centre are doing their best to stay positive, despite hassle off unhelpful customers. They know as much as the general public about what is going to happen. We need to get behind the staff and be constructive if we are going to keep our leisure centre.

Report this post »

No reply either!, chippenham says...
11:02am Mon 19 Feb 07

No answer from the O'Gorman camp yet. However, I hardly expected one considering the blind ingnorance with which NWDC have handled everything so far. Shameful!

Report this post »

Disgraceful NWDC, says...
11:06am Mon 19 Feb 07

It is very distressing for all of the staff at the 6 lesiure centres who are finding out information regarding the closure of the centres via the press. No information has been passed onto the centres from NWDC which is disgraceful!

Report this post »

Jan, Wootton Bassett says...
12:06pm Mon 19 Feb 07

I aplogise Dan and NWLL staff if my comments were felt to be directed at NWLL staff - I have nothing but pity for the situation they are in and admiration for their continued commitment. My comments were directed at some of the residents of Chippenham, Corsham and Malmsbury as when I have had occassion to meet a few of them recently they seemed unaware or unmoved by the plight of the towns who were losing their sport.It is for the voters to unite and remove the present admisnistration from office in May.This sorry mess is down to NMDC mismanagemnt from before the contract was even prepared

Report this post »

Former Employee of NWLL, Calne says...
12:52pm Mon 19 Feb 07

As a former employee I am aware of how difficult the situation as been for the staff recently. They have worked extremely hard to ensure that facilities are open and a service provided to the community in North Wiltshire.

Management decisions made by NWLL may not have always been proven to be right - however they were all made with the best intrerests of leisure provision in the district.
The district council however have buried their heads in the sand until they have now been forced to act. If they had been more vigilent at the outset and provided the necessary support required, things could have been so different. It would appear that they are looking for a scapegoat and NWLL and Wycombe Leisure are the chosen ones! I will be very surprised if DC Leisure will have any more success unless NWDC wakes up to their responsibilities and takes an interest in leisure provision.

Good luck to all the staff, my best wishes are with you.

Report this post »

WHLC Staff, Calne says...
1:23pm Mon 19 Feb 07

Calne & surrounding area residents. The White Horse Leisure Centre needs your support tonight to attend a meeting at 8pm at the leisure centre. Leisure provider commits to managing the Centre in the short medium and long term. Athena Leisure will answer your questions. Don't let this fantastic opportunity slip away. Don't lose your leisure centre.

Report this post »

Comments are closed on this article.

In this section

Local Advertisers

Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices » Schools » Crime » Hospitals »

News RSS Feed