FURIOUS members of a private health club are demanding answers after a decision was made to sell it to Bournemouth council.
They fear their exclusive club will go downhill after the sale and some said they will stop paying their membership fees in protest.
The recommendation to buy ROKO in Manor Farm Road, Kinson, will be debated at full council on June 9 and, if approved, ownership will transfer to Bournemouth council on July 1.
Worried members have contacted the Echo website to express their fears about the club’s future.
“Do they seriously think I will continue to pay premium health club rates to use council-run facilities?” asked firewood of Branksome.
xjzmx added: “I think ROKO should have informed new members before making them sign into a year’s contract with them.”
And aaron 989 added: “I am still a member at the moment but I won’t be for long. If I wanted a cheap club I would have joined Littledown or Stokewood Road.”
Peter Brown, leisure facilities general manager at Bournemouth council, has written to members telling them the club will continue to operate in its present format and current membership will automatically transfer.
But many members said the transfer is not good enough and that they would like the opportunity to cancel their membership if they wish to do so.
In reply, Mr Brown said the council intends to continue operating the facility as a private members club for the first three months. “We are not intending to open it up to casual users until October 2009. Until July 1, the current membership conditions will apply. From July 1 members will have the opportunity to transfer to the council’s membership terms, which will give an option to cancel within a one-month notice period if they are not satisfied with the service provided.
“We are confident that, if given the opportunity, members will see a seamless transfer, with current ROKO staff transferring into the council’s employment.”
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