Ruislip gym members fear privatisation

GYM and pool members are angry at the possibility their leisure centre will be taken over by private contractors because of fears it will go downhill.

Hillingdon Council are considering letting private contractors run Highgrove Pool and Fitness Centre, in Hume Way, Ruislip, and Queensmead Sports Centre, in Victoria Road, South Ruislip.

Jean Palmer, director of planning and community services at the council, said: "We are currently looking to put in place an operator to run the new facility at Botwell Sports Centre when it opens in early 2010 and as part of this process we will be reviewing arrangements for operating our leisure facilities at Highgrove and Queensmead to ensure all our leisure sites continue to provide excellent services to our residents."

However, Allen Bergson, of High Road, Eastcote, who has been using the gym twice a week for four years is against the proposals.

He said: "As far as public leisure centres are concerned I think Highgrove is one of the best I have ever been to.

"The staff are very accommodating, it's normally very clean and tidy and there's never any trouble with bad behaviour.

"I can't find a logical reason why the council would privatise it and I have a funny feeling they will agree to renovate it and then let someone else run it.

"I have asked Henry Higgins, cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure, and Leader of the Council, Ray Puddifoot, why they are doing this but I still haven't received a reply.

"When private contractors take over you find they employ less staff because they want to make a profit and the prices normally go up.

"If the council can tell me Highgrove isn't profitable then I would understand it."

Another member of Highgrove, who has been using the pool at least three times a week for five years, said: "It's run so nicely now. It's so clean and the staff are so friendly.

"When something like this is privatised it always falls down because they are too interested in making money.

"I think the council are wrong not to tell the public about their plans and I am just speechless that they can do this."

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