MANAGEMENT at Hobsons Bay’s new $11 million sports and aquatic centre has hit back angrily at reports that teenage thugs had terrorised patrons at the centre.
Behaviour at the council-owned BayFit Leisure Centre has been better than at most similar centres throughout Australia, according to the private company that manages it.
Star two weeks ago reported claims that gangs of youths had been bullying young patrons at the centre since it opened in December.
In an e-mail leaked to Star and circulated to all Hobsons Bay councillors, a resident claimed she no longer felt safe taking her grandchildren there after one of them was targeted by bullies.
The resident also complained about cars being stolen from the centre’s car park and about vandalism, claiming the centre looked like “the Bronx” after windows were allegedly smashed.
Leisure Management Services director of leisure services Bernie Carroll said the claims were unfair to staff at the centre.
While Mr Carroll admitted there had been behavioural problems, he said staff worked hard to enforce strict rules with the help of uniformed and undercover police who patrolled the centre regularly.
“There haven’t been any fights or scuffles and the staff collectively have demonstrated great teamwork to ensure a safe, friendly, family environment is maintained,” Mr Carroll said.
But he said six trouble-making youths had been banned for breaching the rules under a “three strikes” policy.
Despite the incidents that led to the bannings, Mr Carroll said behavioural standards at BayFit were higher than at most similar centres throughout Australia.
He said staffing levels were higher than industry standards and all employees were highly trained to ensure the safety of patrons.
“We have created a club for teenagers that we call Bay Zone and any unaccompanied teenager who attends the centre has to register and we get contact details and make sure they are aware of all of the rules,” Mr Carroll said.
“If they play up in the first instance we contact their parents or carer and in a couple of instances their parents have come down all hot under the collar and the behavioural issues are sorted out within the family group.”
Mr Carroll said on four or five occasions, “hoonish” behaviour had escalated to the point where police had been called to remove youths from the centre.
“These are teenagers aged 15 to 19 and they can be quite difficult to handle in a public situation,” he said.
Mr Carroll said undercover police officers were patrolling the centre’s carpark regularly after reports of car thefts.
The council was also introducing better lighting to reduce the problem, he said.
He denied reports of windows broken at the centre.
“People might have been confused by the demolition works they might have seen at the old section,” Mr Carroll said.
He said he was pleased with the overall behaviour of patrons.
“You’ve got to remember that we have 600 to 800 people here on a hot day and to not have any major incidents is a credit to the staff,” Mr Carroll said.
“Since we’ve opened there haven’t been any rescues and there have been no incidents that have required major first-aid – just the odd band-aid.”
