Following Armagh I’s report of cleanliness issues at Armagh’s Orchard Leisure Centre in June the complex has once again come under scrutiny for similar issues – just one month on.
Concerns have now been raised after one Armagh woman told Armagh I that her, another adult and seven children fell “violently” ill after visiting Gulliver’s soft play centre twice last week.
The woman – who wishes to remain anonymous – admitted to being a regular visitor to the centre but believes that her most recent experience has “completely floored” her and her family.
The mum-of-three described having experienced “severe vomiting and diarrhoea” and as she visited with family members from a second household, who have been similarly afflicted, she believes the standards of cleanliness at the facility are to blame.
She said: “It’s been absolutely brutal. I’ve never been floored like this in all my life, we can’t even lift our heads a week on.
“When we were there we actually witnessed staff cleaning vomit and urine with blue roll and a spray bottle but that’s not enough.
“It was sticky and polluted with rubbish. The place is a breeding ground for bacteria. It’s not up to standards. It’s never clean.
“Realistically, it needs to be closed down and cleaned properly.”
The piqued parent has also voiced her concerns about a lack of consistent supervision in the soft play centre.
“There is never an attendant there,” she added. “No matter when we visit there is never a staff member consistently in Gulliver’s.”
In an effort to reach some resolution she then reached out to Councillor Julie Flaherty, who she says has been “very supportive” in addressing her concerns.
In response, Councillor Flaherty, said: “Just this morning, I was alerted to an issue of cleanliness in the soft play area in Orchard Leisure Centre. I think we can all agree that this is just not acceptable- indeed Senior Management, who I spoke to on site immediately, also agree.
“When things are not right, we must be able to put our hands up and make them right.
“As a result, an immediate action plan for remedial cleaning and work is in place – people may need to be patient with this as I have suggested a closure until all is rectified.
“We need to get better at some things and be able to positively promote all the good things council provide for children in all our leisure facilities across the Borough.
“There are major plans for leisure provision in Armagh and we will work that process through in time. ”
A spokesperson for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council said: “We want all customers using our leisure facilities across the borough to have a positive experience. With over 400 customers visiting the soft play area in Orchard Leisure Centre last week, this appears to be an isolated incident.
“We apologise if a customer felt the standard of cleanliness provided within the soft play area fell short of their expectations on this occasion but wish to reassure them that Council staff are working hard to enhance the customer experience at the centre going forward.”
