They actually listened and decided to keep the courts just as they are so the squash scene stays exactly where it belongs. I am honestly in shock because it feels unreal to have been heard after all the worry and the endless back and forth notes. Keep playing and let's …
September 12, 2018
Final supporters
Stop Squash Courts 1 & 2 from being converted to a Blaze Studio
David Lloyd Gidea Park, Essex, are due to commence work this September that will convert two of the three existing squash courts into a studio for their latest fad, the Blaze "innovation". The decision to proceed with the scheduled works was taken without consultation with club members despite the club's squash scene now flourishing under the leadership of Ex-England junior and Head Coach, Niall Engerer, from April 2017.
The loss of two of the three squash courts ultimately results in competitive squash no longer being viable at the club, leaving nowhere for members of the community to play in the catchment. The existing courts are already used to full capacity with a 10 session training programme in place each week, 3 active mens teams in the Essex league as well as 30 competition dates held at the club each season for all of it's members. The loss of two thirds of the facility will result in insufficient capacity for competitive squash to continue in any realistic shape or form at the club.
70 of the 200 squash-playing members at the club have been members of David Lloyd since it opened it's doors in 2006, having transferred from local squash club, Romford YMCA, following the closure of three of their courts being replaced by a climbing wall and spin studios - both proving unsuccessful. The loyalty of such members has not been recognised by involving them in discussion or negotiation is testimony to the contempt with which David Lloyd appears to hold their loyal subscribers.
Whether you are a squash player or not, please take a moment to show your support by signing this petition to seek the survival of a sport that brings so much to so many in the Havering area in hope that a more suitable alternative of space can be found at the club. The proposal for the squash courts is both non-sensical and disrespectful to members who have supported the club for over a decade at a time when squash is seeing record activity from over 200 members. Please support your fellow members and urge David Lloyd to reconsider the current proposal by signing the petition now.
It takes 10,000 signatures to spark a response from government, how many will it take the powers that be at David Lloyd?
Updates
August 1, 2018
Five hundred people just signed this and I am honestly kind of shocked because I thought maybe we would get a few dozen signatures tops. I keep reading through the comments and seeing people mention the old YMCA days and it makes me realize how much history we are trying to protect here. This is wild.
Reached 500 supporters
July 31, 2018
Reached 100 supporters
July 27, 2018
398 Comments
In this so called democratic country, it is not fair or right to just railroad this sort of decision through without consulting your members. This underhand decision will now reflect badly on David lloyd. A good reputation takes a long time to build but just minutes to lose.
Poor management from David Lloyd. How can this decision be made with no discussion with the members. The squash courts are always busy and the me,bees that use them also spend time (and spend money) at the bar. The loss of courts and squash members will negatively effect the club.
My parter and I were planning to join DL next month when we move to the area. The sole reason being for squash and the active squash scene that it currently has there. If there is only one squash court to remain we will not be joining.
Squash at David Lloyd Gidea Park is thriving, taking away the courts will cause a huge loss in membership and revenue of £50,000 or more, certainly a very poor display of judgement. Without consulting members shows a disregard for the community and the life blood of the club.
Squash is rated as the number 1 healthiest sport to play by Forbes magazine. You burn 1000 calories an hour, learn a skill as well as being competitive. To replace it with a fad fitness studio is extremely short-sighted and appears to be a short term money making scheme.
a similar pattern all over uk we need to fight it
Squash as a sport deserve not only to survive as a sport but thrive, more's the pity it isn't in the Olympics.
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They actually listened and decided to keep the courts just as they are so the squash scene stays exactly where it belongs. I am honestly in shock because it feels unreal to have been heard after all the worry and the endless back and forth notes. Keep playing and let's …
September 12, 2018
Final supporters
Stop Squash Courts 1 & 2 from being converted to a Blaze Studio
David Lloyd Gidea Park, Essex, are due to commence work this September that will convert two of the three existing squash courts into a studio for their latest fad, the Blaze "innovation". The decision to proceed with the scheduled works was taken without consultation with club members despite the club's squash scene now flourishing under the leadership of Ex-England junior and Head Coach, Niall Engerer, from April 2017.
The loss of two of the three squash courts ultimately results in competitive squash no longer being viable at the club, leaving nowhere for members of the community to play in the catchment. The existing courts are already used to full capacity with a 10 session training programme in place each week, 3 active mens teams in the Essex league as well as 30 competition dates held at the club each season for all of it's members. The loss of two thirds of the facility will result in insufficient capacity for competitive squash to continue in any realistic shape or form at the club.
70 of the 200 squash-playing members at the club have been members of David Lloyd since it opened it's doors in 2006, having transferred from local squash club, Romford YMCA, following the closure of three of their courts being replaced by a climbing wall and spin studios - both proving unsuccessful. The loyalty of such members has not been recognised by involving them in discussion or negotiation is testimony to the contempt with which David Lloyd appears to hold their loyal subscribers.
Whether you are a squash player or not, please take a moment to show your support by signing this petition to seek the survival of a sport that brings so much to so many in the Havering area in hope that a more suitable alternative of space can be found at the club. The proposal for the squash courts is both non-sensical and disrespectful to members who have supported the club for over a decade at a time when squash is seeing record activity from over 200 members. Please support your fellow members and urge David Lloyd to reconsider the current proposal by signing the petition now.
It takes 10,000 signatures to spark a response from government, how many will it take the powers that be at David Lloyd?
Updates
August 1, 2018
Five hundred people just signed this and I am honestly kind of shocked because I thought maybe we would get a few dozen signatures tops. I keep reading through the comments and seeing people mention the old YMCA days and it makes me realize how much history we are trying to protect here. This is wild.
Reached 500 supporters
July 31, 2018
Reached 100 supporters
July 27, 2018
398 Comments
My son has attended the Summer Camps run by Niall. This has changed his confidence about sport dramatically and has the only way I could convince him to switch off ‘Fortnite’ and get him to communicate with us again! Please don’t take this opportunity away
In this so called democratic country, it is not fair or right to just railroad this sort of decision through without consulting your members. This underhand decision will now reflect badly on David lloyd. A good reputation takes a long time to build but just minutes to lose.
Poor management from David Lloyd. How can this decision be made with no discussion with the members. The squash courts are always busy and the me,bees that use them also spend time (and spend money) at the bar. The loss of courts and squash members will negatively effect the club.
My parter and I were planning to join DL next month when we move to the area. The sole reason being for squash and the active squash scene that it currently has there. If there is only one squash court to remain we will not be joining.
Squash at David Lloyd Gidea Park is thriving, taking away the courts will cause a huge loss in membership and revenue of £50,000 or more, certainly a very poor display of judgement. Without consulting members shows a disregard for the community and the life blood of the club.
Squash is rated as the number 1 healthiest sport to play by Forbes magazine. You burn 1000 calories an hour, learn a skill as well as being competitive. To replace it with a fad fitness studio is extremely short-sighted and appears to be a short term money making scheme.
a similar pattern all over uk we need to fight it
Squash as a sport deserve not only to survive as a sport but thrive, more's the pity it isn't in the Olympics.
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My son has attended the Summer Camps run by Niall. This has changed his confidence about sport dramatically and has the only way I could convince him to switch off ‘Fortnite’ and get him to communicate with us again! Please don’t take this opportunity away