Reader is not alone in Complex “disappointment”

April 1, 2015 · 0 Comments

Heidi Fleming is not the only member disappointed with the renovation of the Leisure Complex. I am also disappointed with the new facility.
Heidi makes some valid points. Why the fob and wrist band system?
If fobs are provided for the fitness members, the fob reader should be at the entrance to the Fitness Facility, not behind the glass at the reception desk.
She also is correct with regard to the windows. There is too much glare and the heat becomes uncomfortable. The air is hot and stale and there appears to be little air circulation in the room. It has been overheard that the Town is considering installing motorized window coverings to mitigate this problem. More money being spent to fix a poor design concept.
The problem with the fitness room is not the size itself, but that there are too many machines crammed into the space. The stretching area, as Heidi has pointed out, is poorly located and inadequate in size. They did move the staff desk forward to move that stretching area behind the desk and away from the door, however, no additional room was created by this change. No more than two people can use this space comfortably.

Along with Heidi’s observations, I have also made note of a few additional items:
– no coat rack in the men’s Fitness change room. Lockers are too small to accommodate a coat or even a sports bag so one has to carry these items around with them
– only one short bench in the men’s Fitness change room
– no towel rack in the shower area of the men’s Fitness change room
– no soap holders in the showers in the men’s Fitness change room
– clear view from the gym of a bank of lockers and the shower area whenever the door to the gym from the men’s Fitness change room is opened. No privacy there if you happen to undressed at the time

I have emailed these concerns to the apparent managers of this project, as well as the Mayor and the eight councillors. I received a response from 6 of the 8 councillors, nothing from our Mayor and nothing at all from the two parties to whom the email was addressed.
Our CAO did, however, respond. He called the creation of the youth centre a “fabulous success”.
Given that the space for youth is significantly smaller than what was intended, it is a stretch to say it is a “fabulous success”. The youth centre is only a small part of the entire facility. One can deem it a “fabulous success” if the project came in on time and on budget, neither of which has happened. The facility was to be completed in October 2014, and here we are headed into April of 2015 and it is still not complete. No success in my books.
Perhaps the Mayor and council should take a page from John Tory’s and Andy Byford’s book and the actions taken in regard to the Spadina subway extension.
Another item came to my attention on Saturday. While lying on the floor in the stretching area, I noticed the thick layer of dust under the machines. Here we have spent upwards of $7M and the maintenance and cleanliness of the facility is already going downhill.
I hope that other members speak up about the facility and make it known that they are not satisfied with the facility. I have spoken to many members over the past month and the level of satisfaction with the new facility is very low.

Juergen Daurer
Aurora