Dawlish Discussion

Sat at Dawlish Leisure Centre today with water dribbling down the internal walls, all over wall displays and the trophy cabinet.  Stickers on light fittings saying they have been disconnected due to water ingress.  Awful smell of damp (there's usually dehumidifers running in the rain). What's going on?

I'm going to contact Teignbridge tomorrow as I assume they are responsible for maintenance but any pressure from councillors would be welcome. 

As we left they got buckets out and plastic bags were being put over boards but it just isn't good enough.  What are they waiting for - staff with bronchial issues?  This has been going on for over a year at least now.  They had enough money for a new gym but not essential maintenance?

I'm fed up with money being available for new projects when old ones are just left to rot.

Says something about the design and build quality, how old is the building. 

Yes, it is still a Teignbridge facility.

Id suggest you contact the councillor who leads on Leisure provision

George.gribble@teignbridge.gov.uk

Im sure the officers are as frustrated as you by lack of maintenance, but they can only do what their budget allocations allow.

The five district councillors for Dawlish are Clemens, Hockin, Petherick, Price,  and Prowse.  Their email addresses are on the TDC website too if you want to include them in your email.

I will also email as a parish councillor and a leisure centre customer, to support your representations as requested.

thanks @michaelclayson.  i've emailed they all.  let's see what they say.

Also written as promised Flo.   Will let you know what I hear back

@michaelclayson.  i've received a reply today from councillor gribble who, i quote says "i would assure you that these matters have not been brought to my attention before  and i would thank you for now doing so , as without any knowledge of problems they cannot be resolved...

I regularly visit our leisure centres , always unannounced , and have in the past found the Dawlish facility to be in good order and have had no recent concerns mentioned."

I find it very hard to believe this but will keep an open mind.

Am always amazed at how councillors plead ignorance, as some kind of line of defence.

Surely it's a core part of their job to keep a close ear to the ground, 'the roof' or at least to have better lines of open communication with staff at these sort of facilities so as to be told straight away!!

Got home from a dog walk today to find a message from District Cllr Gribble promising to take this up with his officers on Monday.  Given that he lives in Bovey Tracey, I can understand that he may not have been in Dawlish and seen the problems first hand, so it's good that Flo has stimulated this investigation.

@flo

I've heard that steps are being taken to get the problems at the Leisure Centre sorted.

Thanks again for prompting this.

There is an article about this in this week's Gazette.

@michaelclayson - thanks for pushing on this.  looks like things are being sorted.  i had a very prompt response from ros prowse and she has always been very supportive of tsw juniors.

@Lynne - ellen obviously reads this website from her wording in the article, wonder which one of you she is ... !

Ellen - my paternal grandmother's name and one of my daughter's middle names.

But not my name.