Anger over Queensbury pool times mix-up (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Anger over Queensbury pool times mix-up

7:10am Sunday 17th June 2012 in News By Michael Black

Bradford Council has taken action to sort out confusion over opening hours at one of its swimming pools.

Several families turned up at Queensbury Pool to find the opening hours were not as advertised, due to an “error” on the website.

However, Phil Barker, Bradford Council’s Assistant Director for the Sport & Leisure Service, reassured people that the problem has been resolved after Councillor Paul Cromie, of the Queensbury Ward Independents, raised the issue and described the confusion as “unbelievable.”

One disgruntled pool user, Rita Boardall, said: “Having checked on the website that they were open we duly turned up about 2pm with five youngsters all under nine.

“We were then faced with a cashier who was in the pool area telling us ‘they weren’t really open’.

“As we could hear some children in the pool we challenged this. ‘I’ve only let them in because they came specially’ was the answer.

“As was the case with us we countered. ‘Well I suppose you could have half an hour’ came the grudging reply at which point she leapt back behind the desk and proceeded to work out the normal charges!”

In an e-mail to Coun Cromie, Mr Barker said: “Firstly I would like to apologise to Mrs Rita Boardall for the inconvenience and the problems that she experienced. The timetable information for the swimming pools is put on the internet and on mobile devices using computer software. Use of the software at Queensbury is relatively new as it has only been in place for approximately six weeks and this was the first time that staff had needed to update the information.

“On Wednesday staff did become aware that there was a problem with the web-page as it had de-faulted back to a previous holiday programme. Staff tried to change the information but had difficulty updating the programme.”

Mr Barker said the issue was resolved and the information was changed, but added that the families had accessed the website before the changes were made.

He said: “There are a number of points that we will address for future to prevent any reoccurrence. Staff have been provided with additional training.”