RIVERMEAD Leisure Complex — the so-called “jewel in the crown” of Reading’s leisure facilites — is “an embarrassment to the town”, according to regular users who are calling for a revamp.

The leisure centre in Richfield Avenue came under fire at a meeting of the borough’s policy committee on Monday when campaigner Colin Lee told council leaders that customers are no longer satisfied, and suggested the centre’s revenue and profits were falling.

Yesterday (Wednesday) Reading residents took to Facebook to support his claims about the centre, run by Greenwich Leisure Limited.

Sarah Vugler commented: “The centre is a disgrace. Dirty and smelly changing rooms and really filthy toilets. Every year they promise change and it never materialises. It is an embarrassment to our town. I have been one of numerous people to complain to management over the years but nothing changes.”

And Helen Waring added: “It’s been allowed to go to ruin. Such a waste...”

Mr Lee demanded that culture, sport and consumer services leader Cllr Paul Gittings reassure customers that council-run Reading Sport and Leisure (RSL) has the “knowledge, determination and inclination” to improve facilities.

He said: “Can the lead councillor for culture and sport give an account of the reasons why the once jewel in the crown of RSL, Rivermead, is now a shadow of its former self both in terms of revenue and profit returns and in customer satisfaction?”

His comments come seven months after Clare Newman, of Caversham Park, launched an online petition, which has gathered 840 signatures so far, calling for improvements to the borough’s “disgusting” swimming pools.

But Cllr Gittings blasted claims the leisure centre is losing profits and revenue as “unsubstantiated”, insisting all the borough’s facilities offer excellent value for money and levels of service.

He said: “Nevertheless it is true to say that the environment for all leisure operators is currently a challenging one, not least because of the level of competition in the market from the new breed of low-cost gyms of which Reading has a significant number.”

Work is under way to replace the synthetic football and hockey pitch at the centre as part of a £1.2m improvement package which includes upgrading the heating and wet-side changing facilities. Cllr Gittings also said the borough council will be working on a review of all the leisure facilities.

He said: “We are also working with Sport England to progress a strategic review of leisure facilities with a view of identifying how we can best meet needs and aspirations. In this context I can provide absolute reassurance about the council’s commitment to sport and leisure in the future.”

What they said on Facebook:

Olly Papierowski: They need to sort the squash courts out! I am cancelling my membership soon, it’s a dump!

Alix Lynch: I fear for mine and my sons health and safety in the changing rooms!

Lesley Miles: The pool is awful and the changing rooms always smell.

The wave is never working and the heating is always packing up. We stopped swimming there about 2 years ago as it’s horrible. They spent loads on a new gym and they’ve re done the eating area about 2 or 3 times but nothing on the pool.

Anne Lancaster: Swimming pools in Reading are an embarrassment to the town.