Hudson Leisure Centre users list catalogue of issues with Wisbech building including collapsed ceilings

Users of a Fenland leisure centre claim it is “falling down” and is unfit for purpose after listing a catalogue of issues with the building and its fittings.

Operators of the Hudson Centre in Wisbech have admitted “several maintenance projects that are being addressed” and say they are going as fast as they can.

A user, who does not want to be named, has been unable to use the swimming pool or access the gym. The hoist needed to help disabled people enter the water has “come to the end of its life” and needs replacing.

But no date has yet been agreed on when the new one will be installed.

The woman said: “I've done a bit of research and these items that raise and lower have a shelf life and cannot be used after the expiry date, so it bewilders me and my mum that there wasn't a plan to replace it.

“We could have understood if the hoist was closed for a few days while it was replaced, but the fact the ladies on reception know nothing about when it might be back up and running seems ridiculous.”

On top of this, she said her mum was also unable to access the gym because the lift was out of order for weeks – although it has now been replaced. However, a member of staff now operates it and a yellow barrier has been put around it.

The woman said: “We aren't too sure of the exact reason, but it doesn't seem safe if the public cannot use the lift to go down about one metre to the lower level.”

Another gripe is that the showers in the gym have been out of order since the start of the summer.

She said: “When I asked about them I was told they were waiting for the paperwork to be completed by head office.

“To add to the list of repair work proposed, the room which used to have the spinning bikes in has been closed and now all classes take place in the gym because the floor has fallen through.

“Part of the roof has fallen near the sports hall and was boxed in by builders for a week, now they have gone there are no lights down to the sports hall.

“Before the summer the steps outside the front of the building collapsed - again it took at least a couple of months until someone came and fixed them.

A spokesperson for Freedom Leisure said: “Recently, there have been several maintenance projects that are being addressed as quickly as we can although it is fair to say that some of these require considerable investment and therefore may need a tendering process that requires time.

“As a not-for-profit leisure trust, we have to manage our suppliers, and the costs associated with all our remedial works to ensure we receive value for money at all times.

“There are projects that between Fenland District Council and ourselves, we are addressing, and orders have been placed for certain items such as the pool hoist for example which has been out of action for longer than we would have liked and that should be replaced in the coming weeks.

“We’d like to thank all our users for their patience and understanding, rest assured, the continued investment in the leisure facilities to improve the lives of the people of Fenland remains our priority.”