Anyone know when the Rec's going to re-open?

[lang rabbie]

But I hadn't realised that GLL were in charge of London Fields - I had thought how similar the new changing rooms at Brockwell were to the ones in London Fields ... - and now I know why!

But surely Brockwell is run by Fusion not GLL.

It just seems to be a widespread failure of architects employed to design pools that they aren't capable of designing robust basic facilities. The new (two years old) changing rooms/showers at Tooting are already slum like because they were more concerned about making the buildings circular rather than thinking about a practical layout for drains.

 

[gaijingirl]

But surely Brockwell is run by Fusion not GLL.

It just seems to be a widespread failure of architects employed to design pools that they aren't capable of designing robust basic facilities. The new (two years old) changing rooms/showers at Tooting are already slum like because they were more concerned about making the buildings circular rather than thinking about a practical layout for drains.

Yes you're right of course - I've been running around that many swimming pools recently I'm getting confused about which complaint form I've sent to who!.. etc etc.. Maybe Fusion use the same architects as GLL because the changing rooms in Brockwell are very similar to those at London Fields.

The ladies' in Tooting is fine - at least there's more than 3 showers and you don't risk cracking your neck on the floor - there's infinitely more room there than at either Brockwell or London Fields!! Certainly whenever I've been there they've been ok. I've only been the once when it was busy though.

I get your point about the drainage too - the ladies' changing rooms at the ULU pool is closing down for over a month while they sort them out - don't know if it's the drainage or something else, but those showers seem to flood regularly.

 

[Tricky Skills]

Seconded about the Tooting gents. Sure, they look nice, but they aren't exactly practical. The toilets are pretty disgusting as well.

I've yet to experience the new Brockwell set up, but the old style certainly worked. But it's all about space, isn't it?

Space for those Lido essetials such as treadmills

 

[brixtonclimber]

Climbing wall – Lambeth Council has now engaged a contractor to remove and rebuild this to meet new specifications. It does not yet have a work programme but is working with Brixton Climbers on this.
dear tricky.
Could you tell me more about what have been said about the wall?, some of us dont actualy want the wall to be put down. Im surprise by this news, as at the last meeting the council asked us not to reveal any info regarding the futur of the wall.
thanks.
brixton climber

 

[gaijingirl]

Well I just had a letter from Gary Starkey, General Manager, Brixton Rec. you'll prolly get the same letter.

If all the promises of new equipment, new saunas, football pitches etc etc - and there are a LOT of promises - come true, eventually it should be nice.

I say eventually because it elaborates on the reopening.

As said in this thread before it's a "soft opening" from 9 July - swimming pool (9-5 Mon-Sun) and creche (9-5 mon-fri) and then a temporary gym and group exercise programme from Mon 18 July until 9pm.

A slightly worrying line is "during the next three months the comprehensive, exciting and innovative redevelopment of the health and fitness provision on levels 5+6 will be progressed at full speed for full availability before the end the year". Apparently they're spending £1million on it.

So potentially lots of nice stuff - but also potentially not back to full working order before 2008.

There's also a lot going on with the free weights room which may become independently run by the people who use it... they're consulting on that it seems.

Updates on www.gll.org

 

[Tricky Skills]

Nothing to add on the climbing wall situation I'm afraid. I posted all that I know, a C&P from a Brixton Rec Users mail.

Intruiged as to why the Council knobbers wanted to silence you?

 

[bingiman]

I am really pissed off about no more University of Dub at the Rec.

 

[Dubversion]

I am really pissed off about no more University of Dub at the Rec.

innit. Nowhere else will have the same excellent - if slightly bizarre - vibe.

 

[Ms T]

I went and had a look around the new improved Rec yesterday - and it seems the only work that has been completed is new security on the entrance. There's now a separate entrance and exit, and there are fancy new electronic barriers you have to go through before you get to reception, where there are - guess what - more barriers.

Other than that, it's pretty much the same/worse than before. They seem to have got rid of the cafe (RIP Barbara), and the gym bit is now confined to one level, with not many weight machines to speak of. Apparently, it won't be finished until the New Year.

Plus there aren't that many classes yet, because they haven't managed to recruit enough instructors. All in all, a bit pants.

 

[lang rabbie]

Doing battle with the GLL website

I was about to post asking if anyone had braved the temporary changing and/or had the foggiest what the current swimming programme is.

There is nothing on Lambeth Council's own leisure pages, and the obvious links on Greenwich Leisure's own website haven't worked for any of their centres for at least the last four months.

However under the innocuous heading "Brixton Recreation Centre Guide", I've just stumbled across a new document published on 29 October

Programme information October 2007 - March 2008

After four attempts, I eventually managed to download the 4MB pdf. From the title, I'm assuming this means that the gym is out of action until next April.

For those without broadband/patience, here is the main pool timetable on one page.

Brixton Recreation Centre
Swimming Programme – Main Pool
Monday
7am-9am Fitness Swim
9am-3pm Schools & General Swim
3pm-4pm General Swim
4pm-6pm London Swim School & General Swim
6pm-7pm General Swim
7pm-9pm London Swim School & General Swim
9pm-10pm Fitness Swim

Tuesday
7am-9am Fitness Swim
9am-3pm Schools & General Swim
3pm-4pm General Swim
4pm-6pm London Swim School & General Swim
6pm-7pm General Swim
7pm-9pm London Swim School & General Swim
9pm-10pm Fitness Swim

Wednesday
7am-9am Fitness Swim
9am-3pm Schools & General Swim
3pm-9pm General Swim
9pm-10pm Fitness Swim

Thursday
7am-9am Fitness Swim
9am-3pm Schools & General Swim
3pm-4pm General Swim
4pm-6pm London Swim School & General Swim
6pm-7pm General Swim
7pm-8pm Aqua Aerobics & General Swim
8pm-10pm Fitness Swim

Friday
7am-9am Fitness Swim
9am-3pm Schools & General Swim
12noon-1pm 55+Club Swim
3pm-4pm General Swim
4pm-6pm London Swim School & General Swim
6pm-8.30pm Women Only Swim
8.30pm-10pm London Swim School & Fitness Swim

Saturday
8am-9am Fitness Swim
9am-11am London Swim School & General Swim
11am-8pm General Swim

Sunday
8am-9am Fitness Swim
9am-8pm General Swim

 

[aurora green]

I've been taking my little lad swimming every Sat morning for the last couple of months, and yes the changing rooms are grim at the mo.
BUT everytime we get in the pool I feel happy that we've been able to keep this place, for it is such a lovely swimming pool.
Can't wait for the new changing rooms, but they do seem to be taking forever.

 

[Tricky Skills]

Still no showers in the temporary Gents. Which for a sports centre is not acceptable and is actually quite shocking. How the hell did they decide to re-open the current building site, knowing full well that they couldn't offer a shower service?

I've been thoroughly unimpressed with GLL in Lambeth. The Clapham staff are decent, but after the Rec debacle, I'm not inspired with confidence for the Clapham 'refurbishment' (chopping 8m off the lovely 33m sized pool ).

However up in Hackney and GLL manage and run London Fields Lido like a dream. I had a lovely morning up there at the weekend.

 

[Tricky Skills]

Rejoice! The 'new' Gents are now open at the Rec! (only six months behind schedule...)

And so Those New Improved Rec Changing Rooms in full:

A half-finished wall of tiling and some new shower heads. That's yer lot. The toilet count has been halved, and the ladies are back to squatting in the olds Gents with the plywood divider offering us some modesty.

£2.3m 'refurbishment' my (now clean) arse.

 

[gaijingirl]

Is the pool open in the evenings? I haven't swum for ages now and am missing it..

 

[Tricky Skills]

Yes - open until 10pm.