Battersea Latchmere Leisure Centre Swimming Pool BUG Post Reply

[DillyD]

I complained verbally & in writing to Water Babies & Latchmere nearly 2 years ago with regards to the unacceptable hygiene standards. This was after the leg of the bench I was sitting on (I'm under 9 stone for the record so it should hold my weight) splintered due to rust and pieces just missed my son who at the time was on the floor lying on the changing mat I'd taken with me (as recommended by Water Babies for this location) Couple that with over flowing nappy bins that stank, freezing cold water in the baby pool, a staff member cleaning the teaching pool whilst we were in there.... Absolutey no response to my complaint. Needless to say we stopped using Water Babies & Latchmere which is a great shame as it really is a great pool for kids / families.

Having swam in many public pools across the country for a number of clubs I feel justified in saying that the council & management at Latchmere really need to get it sorted.

[shocked]

I agree with the comments. This swimming pool is filthy and there is no excuse. As someone said, there are lots of people at the reception chating, not working and they are quite rude.

We have been there until recently because my daughter loves the waves and the slides but I am not coming back until the hygiene improves.

Also, last year I put my daughter down for swimming lessons here but she did not want to go after a couple of weeks. The teachers were good but she was just too tired from school. I sent the management an email to cancel my direct debit but they never did and they kept charging me for months. In the end I had to talk to my bank and claim back the money they took. No one from the management ever answered to any of my emails. The management of this pool is awful. THey should be sacked.

[mumoftwoboys]

Hi

We swim with Water Babies at the Latchmere and I totally agree that the changing rooms are usually a disgrace. What I can't understand is why the smell is so bad and what the smell is!! The actually baby pool is really nice so it is just such a shame we have to use the changing rooms.

To be honest we have been looking for a new swimming pool for our lessons but all the other ones that Water Babies are too far and the South West Swimming School NEVER answer their phones or return calls or respond to emails. I saw someone suggested Trinity Hydro Centre here so I will check that out!

[lanmum]

Hi, I agree with all the posts here.. The pool must be missing out on loads of money due to bad management as I was emailing and phoning for swimming lessons and I never got a reply, so gave up.
I've been going there for 6 years and it's always been bad, HOWEVER, I have to say, I went today and the whole place was being given a deep clean - lockers included, so maybe they are starting to listen???

[abbeville2]

I am so glad you say that, because when I went on Monday for my sons swimming the whole place reeked of sewage.

that said some official looking guys in suits were there having a look around.

on the other hand, they had run out of overshoes so everyone was walking around in their outside shoes....

[abbeville2]

P.S. if you can post where you lodged your complaint I would be happy to add my voice. thanks!

[mrs_pavlova]

I have just submitted a complaint on the DC Leisure Centres website, providing a link to this thread. We'll see if they are interested in our views!

[LKNorthcote]

I am a parent who became ill with the krypto parasite at the Trinity Hydro pool last year, as did my son. We really enjoyed the lessons there but obviously after being so ill for a good month or so, didn't go back. I'd be interested to know how the pool is now? My son has been out of lessons for over a year now and when calling other baby/toddler swim classes in the area (including Water Babies at the Latchmere) I was told that because he'd been out of formal lessons for a year, they wouldn't take him in ANY of their classes -not even beginners!

I am now considering going back to the Trinity hydro but I am anxious to say the least. If anybody could throw some light on this pool in its current state I'd appreciate it. Or recommend classes for toddlers somewhere else nearby?

Thank you

[NYE31]

I've been going to the Trinity Hydro pool since the start of this year & I've been really impressed, it's got even better since Little Dippers are no longer there.

Max of 5 per class & the hygiene standards seem v.high.I would have no hesitation in recommending it.

Speak to Tom & hope you get a place.

[LKNorthcote]

oh great thanks for that!

We did the Little Dippers classes - so what's the deal now then?

I will give them a call, many thanks

[NYE31]

Trinity have their own instructors now for their classes, Tom is the best person to talk to & he can advise on which class & when etc

[manicmummy]

I have to say that I agree with MGMidget. It only takes two selfish people to leave rubbish and the whole centre can be given a bad impression. I use Latchmere frequently and have never had a bad experience with the centre. We need to remember that it is a public pool and that therefore it is funded by the council, unlike many private pools which I feel that the centre is being compared to.

I know that the pool isn't perfect and that during its busy times it is hectic, but I do think that it must be doing something right if it is proving to remain so busy and open! I agree that any complaints should be shared with the management and as a mum I appreciate you're looking out for your children but I feel that a fair, balanced view is also due. Having been a overly chatty mum in the past I am aware that the new management is working incredibly hard to put all of the centres faults to rights and that many have already been tackled. Many of my previous concerns have already been identified and resolved, resulting in positive feedback from myself.

I feel we need to remember that this is a community pool and appreciate it for its positives before we get another community centre closed down and have even less to offer families.

[balhamite]

I'd recommend Tooting Leisure Centre for toddler swimming classes. It's not modern like the Hydro pool or Clapham Manor Street but the teaching pool always seems clean and has really good enthusiastic teachers. There are separate changing rooms for the teaching pool which always seem clean too. The classes are also much cheaper than little dippers/water babies and the like.

Not good for general swimming though I don't think as the main pool is lane swimming and the teaching pool always seems to have classes on.

[LKNorthcote]

great thanks for the tip. I shall check it out

[Joeybar]

I agree with manicmummy. Unless you have a cleaner going into the cubicles after every single person and following them round with a mop and bucket, its totally unrealistic for it to be spotless all the time.

I go to the Latchmere sometimes a couple of times a week with my 2 year old for a mixture of swimming and soft play and can honestly say I have never had a bad experience there. Of course improvements can and should be made constantly (especially important in a building that is not brand spanking new like the Clapham Manor pool) - i've noticed in the last couple of weeks that the showers have been updated, presumably to make them easier to clean.

The Latchmere do need to make sure they keep on top of any maintenance issues and get them resolved ASAP and also keeping customers up to date with where they are in fixing the problems e.g one of the toilets had been out of action for a while - it would be been great have a more detailed sign to say, when it broke, what the general problem is, estimated fix time and the department who is responsible. At the end of the day - things break and need fixing - thats a fact but i think if theres a real and genuine effort made to sort thing ASAP and keep people informed then people are alot more forgiving. I may pop that in their comment box!