Westpoint to close pool

tetsujin1979

Haven't been on the board in a while, did a quick search and didn't see this mentioned.

Was in the gym yesterday, and at reception, they were handing out sheets saying that from August, the pool, saunas, steam room and jacuzzi will be closed, and the entire area converted for resistance training.

I have to say, this is a pretty dumb idea, I swim at least once a week, it the sauna and jacuzzi are a welcome respite from lifting weights and running.

Already one person has said to me that they will leave when this happens.

I would be fairly tempted to change gyms, but Westpoint is far cheaper than every other gym in the area.

Washout

I nearly had kittens when i first read your post and then realised its westpoint rather than westpark.

all in all that is a woeful idea.

Hanley

tetsujin1979 wrote: »

I would be fairly tempted to change gyms, but Westpoint is far cheaper than every other gym in the area.

This is why they're able to do it.

Besides, I'd guess a pool costs quite a bit to run. 2-3x lifeguards on the payroll plus all the associated maintenance costs.

The Ryanair of gyms.

kevpants

I'd say they know what they're doing. As above, pools cost a fortune to run and they will probably attract more members if they add another 57 treadmills.

Zamboni

tetsujin1979 wrote: »

Was in the gym yesterday, and at reception, they were handing out sheets saying that from August, the pool, saunas, steam room and jacuzzi will be closed, and the entire area converted for resistance training.

To be honest, I am just glad it doesn't say converted for CV machines.
It is fairy ****e if you are a swimmer though.
The NAC is around the corner if you need a pool and they are absolutely crying out for members.
You'd get sorted with something cheap there I reckon.

tetsujin1979

Cheers Zamboni,
I usually go for a swim on tuesday and the odd time on a saturday.
Westpoint are dropping their prices to make up for losing the pool, so I'll see if the shortfall will cover membership in the NAC, or even just the once a week visit.

d'Oracle

Thats really bad.

Serious lack of 50m Pools in this country.....

Money Shot

tetsujin1979 wrote: »

Was in the gym yesterday, and at reception, they were handing out sheets saying that from August, the pool, saunas, steam room and jacuzzi will be closed, and the entire area converted for resistance training.

That is a disgrace to be honest. I'm a member there because it's so cheap - I rarely use it, but when I do it;s normally the pool. Might look at Coolmine or the NAC myself.

Zamboni

Money Shot wrote: »

That is a disgrace to be honest. I'm a member there because it's so cheap - I rarely use it, but when I do it;s normally the pool. Might look at Coolmine or the NAC myself.

FYI the gym in the NAC is one of the smallest I have ever seen.

Hanley

d'Oracle wrote: »

Thats really bad.

Serious lack of 50m Pools in this country.....

Westpoint's not a 50m pool tho??

I think I remember being told that the NAC pool's a shade shorter than 50m, and therefore records can't be set in it?? could well be making that up tho.

crotalus667

Hanley wrote: »

Westpoint's not a 50m pool tho??
.

I think you might be thinking of West Wood Clontarf

david.carroll5

yeah was up in Westpoint tonight and got the bad news. so feckin annoying! reckon I'll be leaving too.

Silcocky

:mad: What a load of rubbish -thats the only reason I even go..have only been on the machines twice in four years...I'll be asking for a portion of my annual fee back (though I'd say I'll have to sing for it!)

Money Shot

Silcocky wrote: »

:mad: What a load of rubbish -thats the only reason I even go..have only been on the machines twice in four years...I'll be asking for a portion of my annual fee back (though I'd say I'll have to sing for it!)

Let us know how you get on with that

tetsujin1979

According to the handout, you have 3 options
(I don't have it with me, so this might not be exact)

• Cancel your membership, and receive a refund
• Transfer your membership to Northwood or Carlisle, which still have pools
• Continue with your membership, and receive a pro rata refund, based on the new membership rates

Zamboni

tetsujin1979 wrote: »

According to the handout, you have 3 options
(I don't have it with me, so this might not be exact)

• Cancel your membership, and receive a refund for the remainder of your paid membership
• Transfer your membership to Northwood or Carlisle, which still have pools
• Continue with your membership, and receive a pro rata refund, based on the new membership rates

Tetsujin is spot on.
( I just stuck in remainder for clarity)

To be fair to them, they are giving 2 months prior notice and 3 options.
I agree it is crap the pool will be gone but at least it's not like 'the pools closed, like it or lump it'.

rockdrummer

dont know why they just did up the steam room if their just gettin rid of it !! will be moving to the NAC !

Silcocky

As stated above, they will be refunding, should you so wish.

I doesn't make any sense- they reckon its to move to a more fitness based model, but surely those who spend an hour and a half going hell for leather on weights or a machine fancy a bit of steam or a jacuzzi afterward?!

I don't care about the steam, sauna or jacuzzi, hell, they could get rid of every machine in the place but please don't take my pool

Oh, and the point in spending two weeks cleaning the pool not 2mths ago!? Ahh..wisdom at work!`

Total fitness and the like must be rubbing their hands with glee.

anywhichway69

It's just an extension of where they are going as a club to be honest - gangs of eastern europeans and teenagers trying frantically to expand the tats on their arms. Get the PT's to tell them they all need protein powder - and by the way, you can buy it at reception.

I hope it backfires on him spectacularly - they have lost one long time regular here - couldn't live without the pool on a sunday.

Zamboni

anywhichway69 wrote: »

It's just an extension of where they are going as a club to be honest - gangs of eastern europeans and teenagers trying frantically to expand the tats on their arms.

Forgive my ignorance but why would they refuse a person from Eastern Europe a membership?

And what has this got do do with a swimming pool?

d'Oracle

crotalus667 wrote: »

I think you might be thinking of West Wood Clontarf

:pac:
Yep.

Is that my coat?
Right so......

anywhichway69

Zamboni wrote: »

Forgive my ignorance but why would they refuse a person from Eastern Europe a membership?

And what has this got do do with a swimming pool?

I forgive your ignorance, but don't appreciate you trying to stir :mad: Did I say anywhere that I think westpoint should refuse anyone from anywhere, or of any age, or of any sex, a membership. Please take the time to read the post again before insinuating racism - it's people like you what cause unrest...

My point was - the clientelle of westpoint of late has been mainly gangs of teenagers (mostly from Dublin, I think) and gangs of males from eastern europe. From what I can see, both groups tend only to be interested in throwing weights around. I conclude that he is interested in attracting this part of the market and turning the gym more into a weightlifing gym and less of a leisure club.(attracting groups of girls who want to do cardio and use the steam room etc) I don't believe there is anything too controversial in what I'm saying - especially if you go to the club regularly.

Zamboni

anywhichway69 wrote: »

My point was - the clientelle of westpoint of late has been mainly gangs of teenagers (mostly from Dublin, I think) and gangs of males from eastern europe. From what I can see, both groups tend only to be interested in throwing weights around. I conclude that he is interested in attracting this part of the market and turning the gym more into a weightlifing gym and less of a leisure club.(attracting groups of girls who want to do cardio and use the steam room etc) I don't believe there is anything too controversial in what I'm saying - especially if you go to the club regularly.

You could have just said they seem to be focusing on weightlifting now without mentioning age or ethnic groups.

Dovers

anywhichway69 wrote: »

I forgive your ignorance, but don't appreciate you trying to stir :mad: Did I say anywhere that I think westpoint should refuse anyone from anywhere, or of any age, or of any sex, a membership. Please take the time to read the post again before insinuating racism - it's people like you what cause unrest...

My point was - the clientelle of westpoint of late has been mainly gangs of teenagers (mostly from Dublin, I think) and gangs of males from eastern europe. From what I can see, both groups tend only to be interested in throwing weights around. I conclude that he is interested in attracting this part of the market and turning the gym more into a weightlifing gym and less of a leisure club.(attracting groups of girls who want to do cardio and use the steam room etc) I don't believe there is anything too controversial in what I'm saying - especially if you go to the club regularly.

I completly agree with this. I think standards have been slipping down there for a long time to be honest, staff attitude, machines broken, tvs not working/tuned in, shower gel yokeys empty. He's obviously doing this so he can increase members. Mine is due for renewal in Sept so if the new area is crap Im joining crunch fitness

anywhichway69

Zamboni wrote: »

You could have just said they seem to be focusing on weightlifting now without mentioning age or ethnic groups.

I could of said lots of things, but surely it;s up to me to choose my own words. I don't understand why it bothers you that I use slightly more descriptive language than you would have probably used yourself.

This is silly and pointless - it's obvious you're trolling, and it's pathetic.

Palibito

I think it's the maddest idea ever, I go there for the combination of gym and then relax in pool area particularly at the weekend.

It was obviously a panic decision because they just spent a lot of money on a new steamroom a few weeks ago and now there closing it??.. That kind of kneejerk decision making has madness written all over it.

"If Dunne can't do it, it can't be Dunne".. what an egotistical prat!.. he thinks he's some kind of self made business guru when in fact he was chucked out his family business and built a gym with the redundancy money..

It will cost a packet to restructure the place and in my opinion there will be a short term increase in members because of the low price; however, the tone of the place will go down bigtime and between that and the lack of facilities it will start to loose ground within a year as long term members fall away.

No doubt they will have to eventually re-open the pool which will cost another load of money.. Meanwhile I'm going to try Total Fitness

Red Alert

Are they just building a floor over it or infilling it? I hope to god Jackie Skelly doesn't get the same idea - I love going down to the jacuzzi to relax after working out.

bikki

ben dunne is talking about this on joe duffy now

Jip

Dunne is on Duffy at the moment defending his decison, he reckons this is the way the industry is going and he's getting out of the wellbeing area.

Malteaser!

'I don't listen to the the customer...'

I understand why he's doing it but he's not coming across very well.

Jip

McFit.de is the model he's going for.

ronbyrne2005

Should keep sauna and jacuzzi as low costs but increase number weights and machine. I never use pool in my place.

Zamboni

This is ridiculous.

Is it such a pain in the hole that the gym is getting taken out of one gym in the country that is has to be aired on the National radio station with people who are not even members can complain?

I'll miss the pool myself but it is hardly a national disaster!

Bonkers

Jip

It's not just the one gym, he's planning on eventually removing them from all his gyms. The mans arrogance is breathtaking but then again he's always been like that. He thinks he's some form of genius busness man despite several of his schemes never taking off.

Zamboni

Jip wrote: »

It's not just the one gym, he's planning on eventually removing them from all his gyms.

All three of them?
Still hardly a national disaster.
There are plenty of gyms without pools in the country that have ongoing membership.

Jip

Yeah, gyms that people had joined in the full knowledge that there wasn't a pool.

Nobody said it was a national disaster, vey few things on Duffy are.

Malteaser!

Jip wrote: »

Yeah, gyms that people had joined in the full knowledge that there wasn't a pool.

Anyone who joined can get their money back if they're not happy. It's not like he took people's money and then said feck ya's and totally changed the place with no option of a refund.

Naos

Think I'll be making a move to TF around August so, not that I use the pool much but the weights area is just far too crowded these days.

Palibito

Poor Ben is not the brightest.. he wants to be radical and controversial like Michael O'Leary , but he lacks the intelligence and education.. That was a dreadful tirade on Duffy,. utter egotistical arrogance!. It just goes to show how someone can have loads of money and no class.

Hanley

It surprises me that people expect a guy who went on a cocaine fuelled hooker binge in the middle of Florida and subsequently laid the seeds for the exposing of payments and tax evaison by so many Irish policitians to have class!!!

arybvtcw0eolkf

Naos wrote: »

Think I'll be making a move to TF around August so, not that I use the pool much but the weights area is just far too crowded these days.

I made the move back to TF (Malahide) from Northwood last week.

I'd trained in TF since the day it opened and had considered its price this year out of my reach and unjustified given the recession (blah blah).

So I priced Northwood and coming in at half the price I thought I couldn't go wrong (I was wrong!).

It was horrible.

It was over crowded, dark, dreary & miserable & lacking any athmospher, so I bit the bullet and went back to TF at a cost of €549-.

As for getting a cost refund from Northwood, well I put it on the long finger until today, I rang up after the Joe Duffy show and was informed that they're being handling similar queries and I'll have to wait ten working days for head office to get back to me! (it'll be interesting to see how this goes now after LiveLine).

.

Palibito

Hanley wrote: »

It surprises me that people expect a guy who went on a cocaine fuelled hooker binge in the middle of Florida and subsequently laid the seeds for the exposing of payments and tax evaison by so many Irish policitians to have class!!!

I didnt say that I "expected" him to have class.. sure last years he was on the radio raving about opening an online retail website that was going to undercut Lidl in renting out suits?.. he's like a crackpot dictator! <snip by Khannie: keep your libelous thoughts to yourself there please. >

niceirishfella

<snip>

What's mad about it? It's a roaring commercial success in Germany and has made the operator there Gazillions.
€16 per month to join, open 24/7.....GET OVER IT PEOPLE, ITS JUST BUSINESS!:eek::D

arybvtcw0eolkf

niceirishfella wrote: »

What's mad about it? It's a roaring commercial success in Germany

Andz ve are not ze germundz.

.

Khannie

Keep to facts here people. 1 libelous and 1 quote of that libelous post so far.

niceirishfella

Macy Uninterested Pollywog wrote: »

Andz ve are not ze germundz.

.

Don't matter. The model will work here as we're slap bang in a recession and there's glaring a need for a low cost gym alternative.
Having said that, there's room for all in the marketplace too.

Palibito

Palibito wrote: »

I didnt say that I "expected" him to have class.. sure last years he was on the radio raving about opening an online retail website that was going to undercut Lidl in renting out suits?.. he's like a crackpot dictator! <snip by Khannie: keep your libelous thoughts to yourself there please. >

What's wrong with Coke? I think you are just afraid of BD because he has lots of money and and is a megaphone bully.. If I said that about Joe blogs it would be no proble... little old Ireland is alive and well Khannie!

JamesTaylorfan

I left Westpoint blanch because I could'nt get a swim in with alll the oul wans waltzing up the lanes in twos and getting ****ty if you swam between them as they gossiped.

anywhichway69

JamesTaylorfan wrote: »

I left Westpoint blanch because I could'nt get a swim in with alll the oul wans waltzing up the lanes in twos and getting ****ty if you swam between them as they gossiped.

Where did you go to, if you don't mind me asking ?

arybvtcw0eolkf

JamesTaylorfan wrote: »

I left Westpoint blanch because I could'nt get a swim in with alll the oul wans waltzing up the lanes in twos and getting ****ty if you swam between them as they gossiped.

They probably cursed you too for your inconsideration of their needs.

The so called 'German Model' has worked here before, no frills gym's are nothing new - you should see what I trained in up until TotalFitness opened up here!.

But the likes of TF and other's set a standard that people have come to expect from a gym now.

Speaking only for myself, I couldn't go back to a no frills gym.

After 20+ years of lifting weights and Martial Arts I'm suffering Osteoarthritis in four discs in my back, and all the knuckles of both hands. You couldn't imagine the relief I find in both the swimming pool, hydro therapy pools, sauan & steam rooms.

I'd imagine there are many like me, indeed one of the greatest concerns on LiveLine today came from people who joined BD's gym's for the same benefits.

He has renaged on these people, the same people who made him a rich man.

However I hate to see a business venture fail, and I do hope this is a success for him.

..

Khannie

Palibito wrote: »

I think you are just afraid of BD because he has lots of money and and is a megaphone bully.. If I said that about Joe blogs it would be no proble... little old Ireland is alive and well Khannie!

You're wrong. I wouldn't allow any libelous statements on here. I'm not afraid of anyone posting anything. I don't get paid for being a moderate, or work for boards.ie, or have any vested interest in the company. IN short: The post was reported as libelous and I agree with it. You should drop it, now.

I obviously wasn't clear enough in my last post: The next person to post something that I consider even potentially libelous get a ban.