Lewisham have arranged a meeting of the pools stakeholder group in the next couple of weeks to talk about the 'teething troubles' ;-). This was at the request of the Forest Hill Society who sit on the stakeholder group.

I am interested to hear about any other problems or issues not already mentioned here (or other examples of the problems - or positive experiences - you may have had) so we can ask how Fusion intend to address them and get things on a smoother footing.

In particular I want to check (just to be sure) that some of these things are not isolated incidents. I have first hand experience of the problems with staffing reception, lack of clarity over sunday closing time, short staffing of lifeguards, and the debacle that is swimming lessons. Other than that so far I've thought it is a a great facility.

I look forward to hearing about more of your experiences - good and bad

Many thanks
Hilary

I agree that it is a wonderful facility.
Plus points are that my experience with the staff on site (ok so I've only been once) was that they were polite and friendly.
Also the Cafe is lovely and ditto the staff a delight.
The cleanliness of the toilets and changing rooms was also excellent on my visit.
Minus's
The often mentioned lack of speed designated lanes (thats why I haven't been back, I cant face another grumpy swimmer complaining that I'm blocking their progress)
I too had a lot of confusion and poor communication over my swimming lessons, which were booked months ago.
The lack of anti wave ropes separating the lanes-it really does get very choppy in there.
My boyfriend says the gym is well equipped. There are numerous options for each type of exercise. He hasnt seen the staff being very proactive- not to say they aren't- when people are struggling on machines or not using the best technique. People dont mind having tips and interaction with the staff, this is all part of why you go to the gym. Finally, although he is average-ish height (5'9") he has to jump up to get onto the chin bars!

And the pitiful showers- we may as well not bother with them for all the good they are for pre and post swim cleansing.

This post was last modified: 06-10-2012 08:02 PM by nottinghillbilly.

I'm surprised very few have mentioned the showers so far!
You hardly feel the water on your body! And I leave feeling cold-ish.
As a frequent swimmer, and rather skinny, I think that a hot, powerful shower at the end is absolutely crucial, in order to warm up.

I wasn't impressed with the showers either but I think there might be an alternative. Just before you get to the showers and the pools there are two cubicles that contain showers which I think have proper hot water, and there are three in each of the men's and women's open plan changing areas. I haven't tried them, but I think those desiring a proper shower might want to give them a try (of course they might be equally feeble).

Those showers not much better, if at all. I suspect they are low water usage sustainable showers as part of the buildings ECO credentials but I'll certainly ask about this. It's no use if they don't actually do their job.

I don't understand why people dislike the showers so much. Perhaps they're used to power showers at home? I find the showers at the pool perfectly adequate for rinsing off the chlorine, which I assume is what they're for. If they're 'low water usage sustainable showers', isn't that good? And (unlike at The Bridge) they're always warm!

Well, the Bridge is a whole other story about showers and water temperatures....
3 in TOTAL, one of which pretty permanently doesn't give more than a dribble of water. Either scalding or only occasionally cold. But there's something disastrous about th temperature control in that building. But they do at least give enough water to get wet...

But, back to Forest Hill Pools.....

I don't have a power shower at home and I expect showers in a swimming pool to provide enough water for a wash and hairwash with shower gel and shampoo! I think these must use more water in the long run as I need to stay in longer to get clean

Blimey. I'm obviously behind the times.

It probably depends on how much hair you have...

What a cruel remark.

I was thinking of myself - I have a lot of hair and need quite a powerful shower to wash and rinse it properly. Why, Robin, what did you think I meant?

I apologize. I thought it might be a sly dig at those of us of the male gender whose hair may be slightly - VERY, VERY slightly, you understand - less luxuriant than it was when we were younger. (It's the testosterone, you know.)

I utterly second this.
I have long thick hair and washing it under that dribble of water just isn't an option.
I'm all for saving water if they are that pathetic as an eco feature at least let us know,.
And also the bigger picture is that if the whole of Forest hill are showering and bathing at home post gym or swim then the borough's water consumption will go up

Another vote for sorting the showers out! At least when you get out of the pool you're already wet so it's not quite as difficult but I tried to have a shower and wash my hair in the upstairs gym changing rooms after a workout and had to give up as with the pathetic dribble I was going to be there for hours.

Used the shower yesterday for the first time..and yeah I back all these comments up. They are DISMAL!! Luckily I live next door to the pools so I don't have to rely on them!

I noticed this morning that one of the two roped-off lanes was labelled 'fast lane.' (It was empty most of the time I was there!) So some progress, it appears.

Update from the boyfriend:
Showers are now up to "normal"
And, yes, the lanes have speeds on them and this is working

I've encountered confusion over their rooms for hire. Was shown round the facilities which was very helpful but then have had no response regarding availability of rooms after emailing a few times. Also shown round a room
Which was then not ever going to be available to hire! I'm sure it's nothing more than miscommunication but makes me nervous about booking anything which is a shame. Hope the teething troubles work themselves out.

Things are looking up...
- showers appear to be sorted
- more staff on reception this morning
- had an email to say they are arranging more swimming lessons and they has a place on the session we wanted. started this morning and all went well!

I have a feeling the manager might be watching this thread!