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Camden News - by RICHARD OSLEY
Published: 12 March 2009

Talacre Sports Centre in Kentish Town

Fears sports centre to go private

Union warns against letting operator take over popular leisure ‘success story’

TRADE union members fear the council is lining up a private operator to take the running of Talacre Sports Centre off its hands.
Staff have been told jobs could be cut in a shake-up of the way the flagship Kentish Town leisure facility is run.
Unison convenor Phil Lewis said: “There will be a protest at this. The community who use the centre will be unhappy.”
The Town Hall confirmed last night (Wednesday) the future of the centre was being discussed but said “no decision” had been taken.
One of the last leisure centres managed by the council, Talacre opened in 2002 as the first new leisure centre built by the Town Hall since the 1960s. An instant hit with sporty residents, it is considered one of the council’s big success stories in recent years. Gymanastics classes proved so popular, parents have camped out and queued around the block to book a place on the courses.
Mr Lewis said: “If it’s not broke, why change it? Everybody knows that the centre is an excellent place with excellent staff.
“They shouldn’t be making any cuts – especially at a time when we should be encouraging people to do more sport to stop the rise of obesity. If you make cuts, surely it affects the service you provide. We’ve been told that the coaching team in gymnastics is going to be reduced. They are saying 11 posts could be deleted.”
Greenwich Leisure Limited, which already holds a multi-million-pound contract with the Town Hall, could step in to cover Talacre. It already manages the Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, the Oasis in Holborn and the Mornington Sports Centre in Camden Town.
Mr Lewis said it was unclear what would happen to staff under such a move.
He said: “We are worried about whether this a taste of things to come. When we’ve raised concerns, we were told that the council doesn’t have a legal obligation to provide any leisure services in Camden – but there is no evidence to suggest a private company could run it better.”
A council spokeswoman said last night : “Camden Council takes pride in providing high-quality, value-for-money sports facilities for our residents.
“In line with this, we are undertaking a review of our sports and physical activity service – which includes the Talacre Sports Centre. The Talacre Sports Centre is currently managed by Camden Council and no decision has been made in regards to changing this. Any changes will be subject to staff consultation.”

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