A STAFF member at Riversdale Leisure Centre has launched a scathing attack on Strabane District Council for their lack of support during the centre's 30th anniversary celebrations, held earlier this month.
Council officials were slammed by the leisure centre employee who described their contribution to the anniversary festivities as an 'insult'.
Staff at the Lisnafin leisure centre celebrated the landmark with a week long programme of events, which ran from September 10 to 16.
However, the employee, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Strabane Chronicle this week that staff are furious that Strabane District Council chose to almost completely ignore Riversdale's 30th year in existence.
They said: "Myself and my colleagues got together ourselves and organised an It's a Knockout tournament, a football competition and other events. I emailed, phoned and wrote to council chairman Gerard Foley with the itinerary and he didn't turn up for a single thing. All we got from the council was a £250 allowance for a meal and we were told it wasn't to be spent on drink. It was nothing short of insulting."
The employee continued: "From start to finish, the council complained about staffing levels for the week and the cost. We received no support at all. If it hadn't been for the efforts of Riversdale staff themselves, the anniversary would have gone unnoticed."
Commenting on the feeling among workers since the anniversary celebrations, the staff member said: "The general feeling is that we at the pool are being treated as a thorn in the side of Strabane District Council. We aren't 'yes' men and women and I think that bothers them.
"It was disgraceful the way we were treated and I would ask the chairman why he didn't come and even address the Riversdale team and pool users during the anniversary celebrations? It was supposed to be a week of fun and games for the entire community but the council's attitude put a real dampener on things. I would like to know if someone from the Culture, Arts and Leisure Department intend to turn up when we present the money we raised from the anniversary to various charities. To be honest, I don't even think they should be invited."
Responding to the criticism from within Riversdale, Chief Executive of Strabane District Council, Philip Faithfull said they would continue to support the efforts of the leisure staff.
"Riversdale Leisure Centre has provided the ratepayers of Strabane District with valuable leisure facilities over the past 30 years. Council is very proud of the work that all our officers have been engaged in, in ensuring that local ratepayers get high quality services at an efficient cost. Riversdale staff worked in teams to organise a wide - ranging programme of events during the 30th birthday week. This ranged from a charity walk to an It's a Knockout competition in the swimming pool, in which many local organisations participated. Riversdale has been one of council's success stories and we are committed to continuing to provide excellent leisure facilities for the people of the district."
Council chairman Gerard Foley also paid tribute to the work that staff engaged in to mark Riversdale's 30th birthday.
"I understand that these events raised £1,500 for Foyle Hospice. This has to be commended and I have personally recognised the commitment and contribution that staff at Riversdale made to this event."
