Romsey squash player quits over decaying sports centre
A 26-year squash veteran walked away from Romsey Sports Centre after years of failing repairs left courts unusable. Poor heating, dirty amenities and structural warnings are now under scrutiny as the council and operator trade blame.
A long-time squash player has stopped using his local sports centre after years of what he calls deliberate neglect, forcing him to relocate to a nearby facility he calls "1,000% better." Paul Keld, 69, a Romsey resident and former squash ladder champion, confirmed on Friday he has not returned to Romsey Sports Centre since early this year.
Keld, who joined the centre in 1998, said conditions have worsened since it was taken over by Places Leisure—part of the Places for People group—in 2017, despite being owned by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC). He described dust-covered courts, slippery floors, blocked toilets and even a squash court repurposed as an emergency latrine during events. "It’s been sliding since 2019," Keld said. "The oil-fired heating failed, no one fixed it, and now there’s no heat at all. The place is below minimum standards for a public facility."
📋 By The Numbers
- 26 years — Paul Keld’s membership span at Romsey Sports Centre
- 5 courts — Originally planned; now only two squash courts remain operational
- 2019 — Year oil-fired heating system failed and was never repaired
Keld first raised concerns in writing with dozens of fellow squash players and escalated complaints to both Places Leisure and TVBC over the past decade. He also flagged potential safety issues, including possible asbestos insulation, water damage and high-alumina cement in prefabricated panels—risks he identified given his background in the building industry. "I’m not a complainer," he said. "But when a building is left to rot, it’s not just a nuisance—it’s a hazard."
💡 Pro Tip
Avoid assuming facility upgrades are underway. If a site hasn’t received maintenance for years, check recent user reviews or ask staff directly about ongoing repairs.
Places Leisure responded that recent repairs include roof fixes, squash court maintenance, heating upgrades and full shower replacements. They added that users still have access to showers in the adjacent Romsey Rapids building. Romsey Rugby Club also left the site years ago due to heating and shower failures, according to a club spokesperson.
| Concern | Places Leisure Response | TVBC Response |
|---|---|---|
| Heating failure | Restored in 2024; additional cubicles added | Upgraded boilers and heating system since 2023 |
| Shower facilities | New showers installed; alternative access in Rapids | Expanded shower block in main building |
| Squash court condition | Repaired and repainted courts | Maintenance ongoing under Places Leisure contract |
TVBC admitted it is "disappointed" by user dissatisfaction but emphasized recent upgrades. A council spokesperson said heating and hot water have been restored, though alternatives were offered during downtime. Both partners insist the centre remains "well-loved" and commit to ongoing improvements—yet no timeline for full refurbishment has been shared.
Key Points
- ✅ Squash player Paul Keld quit after 26 years due to unsafe conditions
- ⚡ Heating failed in 2019 and was never restored until 2024
- 💡 Places Leisure and TVBC blame each other; no full renovation date given
The decay has raised broader questions about asset management in TVBC’s leisure portfolio. With Romsey Sports Centre now operating at a fraction of its original capacity, local players are calling for an independent audit. "They’re waiting for it to be condemned," Keld said. "That’s not how public services should work."
- 📊 Only 2 of 5 planned squash courts are now usable
- 🔍 Asbestos and water damage risks flagged by former member with building experience
- ⚠️ Heating and hot water restored only after prolonged outage and public pressure