Dear Users,

the notes below are the points I remember. Please feel free to
feedback to the group your own recollections.

In the text GLL/TH = Response from GLL/Tower Hamlets representatives

Best Regards Mark

York Hall User Group Meeting 6th March 2006

The pool, Gym, Turkish baths and Laundry were discussed

1. Pool

The pool will need to be closed for about a month while the new
boilers and pipe work are fitted. Alternative pool available at Mile
end.

Users requested that opening hours at Mile End are extended to cover
the same times as at York hall. Mile end closes the pool at 20:00
some evenings.

GLL/TH : Agreed to consider this.
The wet side changing rooms will be upgraded in phases such that
access to the pool is maintained throughout.

2. Gym

Users pointed out that the area reserved for special needs is not
being used either in the evenings or during the day.

GLL/TH : The area is multipurpose and in other centres such areas
once developed and promoted become successful.

3 . Turkish Baths

The project is still in the planning stage. The reason given for the
slow progress was that it had taken time to complete the surveys,
understand the condition of the building and develop a solution
taking guidance from various experts.

Users expressed concern that so little actual progress had been made
since the baths were closed on 24-9-5, over 5 months ago.

TH/GLL : The original planned reopening date back in September 05
was April 06 however no opening date was given at the meeting.

TH/GLL : The project manager hoped that the plans will be finalised
by the end of the month so the work can be put out to tender.

TH/GLL : No indication was given as to how long the tender process
would take or the time to carry out the refurbishment work.
The plans presented did not vary significantly from those seen at
the previous meeting. The changes are included in the text below.

The new proposal was described by following a typical visit. I have
set down the points made in the same order.

Users will enter past a reception area.

4 treatment rooms will be available
Users asked if the traditional practice of rubs and schmising would
continue.

GLL/ TH : The issue needed to be considered further and appreciated
that feedback gathered from the user group in the past had clearly
demonstrated that users felt this was an important issue if the
traditions of the baths be continues.

Users were concerned that commercial interests from spa therapy
services would conflict with the need to maintain the established
practices of rubbing and schmising. Traditions that were practiced
at many East End baths but were forced to end as the baths were
closed one by one throughout the area.

Users asked about pricing

GLL/TH : Pricing policy has not been agreed however the target user
profile of the centre reflects TH's resident profile.
Additional showers and toilets have been added to the the design in
the changing areas. Around 80 lockers will be provided.

Users asked that lockers be large enough to store winter outdoor
clothing.

GLL/TH : Additional lockers in corridors will be considered.
The changing room design has 2 separate changing areas allowing for
both single sex and mixed use.

Users asked if single sex sessions would be programmed.

GLL/TH : No definitive answer was available as policy had not been
formally agreed.

A water fountain has been added to the centre of the hamman area.

Off the hamman area a sauna with ramp access will be installed in
the old toilet area.

Users pointed out the need for a design where the internal structure
can be removed completely for deep cleaning.

GLL/TH : Hygiene is a key issue considered in both design and
operation.

Showers will be installed where the existing washbasins.

Users requested an additional shower be put near to the exit of the
steam room so users can shower immediately after the steam bath.
An alternative would be to put a shower inside the steam room (this
was not proposed at the meeting)

GLL/TH : An additional shower will be considered.
The set of 3 hot rooms will remain as now the marble benches will be
cleaned or replaced if too damaged with similar material.

The plunge pool may have to remain at the existing level because the
water table is close to the level of the existing floor and a sunken
plunge would result in plumbing problems. Access to the plunge will
have to be redesigned. The implication being the plunge would need
to be smaller to accommodate properly designed access steps.

Users made the point that the depth of the existing pool needed to
be maintained.

GLL/TH : Agreed that this would be part of the design.

An ice making machine is planned for the right hand side of the
plunge. The ice would be produced in "slush puppy" form rather than
cubes and the excess would fall into the plunge to keep it cool.

A additional fire escape is planned that would run from beside the
right hand side of the plunge. This would replace a part of the
existing steam room.

The 2 steam rooms would be rectangular. The larger would have a
window opening on to the corridor.

Users pointed out the at present the smaller, hotter steam room has
a wall dividing it with an open door. This creates 2 areas, one
markedly hotter than the other.

GLL/TH : Agreed to consider this as part of the design

Users requested that the benches be at least shoulder width deep and
that water be provided in the steam rooms for sluicing down the
surfaces.

GLL/TH : Agreed to consider this as part of the design

Benches in the steam rooms will be in marble or similar material,
not wood.

3. Laundry

Still problems over which department should manage the laundry.

4. AOB

Users pointed out that the meeting had not been advertised widely.

GLL/TH : Agreed and will try to ensure the next meeting is
communicated better.