I was amazed  and disgusted when I took my nephew who is two years old, swimming at Waterfront Leisure Centre last Friday.  It happened to be half term but as he doesn't go to school this doesn't affect our routine.  I was shocked to be charged £4.70 with a Greenwich card for an adult swim and was informed that the inflated price was because it was 'half term'.  I am aware of the free swimming programme for under16s and over 60s but as many of the children need to be accompanied by an adult, why should the adults be charged peak prices at such times?  Surely in an age when the government is attempting to promote a healthier lifestyle it would be sensible to keep local authority leisure services to a reasonable cost throughout the year and not to increase prices like tour operators and travel services do when families most need to use them..

The shower facilities at Waterfront are inadequate and many adults and children were left shivering by the side of the pool waiting for a communal shower to become available as the children's pools are only open for a few hours at a time.  There was sand in the bottom of the pool and as this isn't a beach, one would expect the water to be clean.

The children's menu in the cafe was very unhealthy and Jamie Oliver would be horrified after all he's done to promote healthy school dinners in the borough.  Everything was served with chips and I couldn't find one healthy children's option.

We usually go to the Eltham leisure centre but as it's closed due to a fire, we went to Waterfront.  It's the last time I'll be taking my nephew there to swim as all in all it was a most unpleasant experience.

Costs at Waterfront Leisure centre in Woolwich are:

To Greenwich card holders, off peak swim: £2.30 or peak £4.70. 

Without the Greenwich card off peak swim: £2.50 and peak £5.40 These peak prices are more than double those of the off peak and are extortionate.