St Albans leisure facilites pick up poor survey ratings

ONLY 43 per cent of local residents are satisfied with sport and leisure facilities in the district, according to a new survey. The low figure puts St Albans council in ninth place out of the 10 local authorities in Herts and way below the countywide aver

ONLY 43 per cent of local residents are satisfied with sport and leisure facilities in the district, according to a new survey.

The low figure puts St Albans council in ninth place out of the 10 local authorities in Herts and way below the countywide average of 52 per cent. In the survey of 1,900 people, the Westminster Lodge and London Colney leisure facilities - both of which are set to be replaced - received the lowest ratings, while Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre and Harpenden Leisure Centre came out on top.

Just 19 per cent of those surveyed in the Clarence Ward and 28 per cent in London Colney were satisfied with facilities, compared to between 60 and 68 per cent of residents in Harpenden who were happy with facilities.

And 39 per cent of those surveyed on Westminster Lodge were dissatisfied with the cleanliness of facilities. The results of the survey and plans to improve services were presented to the public services overview and scrutiny committee last week

But Cllr Julian Daly, leader of the local Conservatives, pointed out that leisure services encompassed arts and the theatre and he said the council should also be looking into how to improve those areas. He suggested asking people what exactly they were unhappy with.