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Sports Centre 33% price hike

Jan 03 2002 21:50

Charlie Brown

The Sports Centre continues Imperial College’s policy of ripping-off students.

The Imperial College Sports Centre at South Kensington. Not a pretty sight.

The Imperial College Sports Centre (that wonderful looking construction on the north side of Princes' Gardens) has, once again, seen in the New Year with price increases an order of magnitude greater than the rate of inflation. Most prices for students will rise by approximately 20%, with some rising by as much as a third.

Ismail Jalisi, former Chair of the Union Free Weights Club, was keen to point out the cost of a 3 month gym pass at the Sports Centre is now £20. This is the same amount that the Union Club charges for its annual membership fee (which allows unlimited usage and includes any induction required). Mr Jalisi said, "when they built that [IC Sports Centre] gym it was cheap and rubbish; now its just rubbish, why would anyone pay to use?"

For some reason, the sports facilities at the St Mary's Campus remain significantly cheaper than those provided at South Kensington. Once rumour that Live! has heard is that is to placate the medics in preparation of a Teddington sale. Indeed, the College needs money to build its promised new sports centre and it is understood that the price hikes are intended partly to raise the necessary funds.

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Discussion about “Sports Centre 33% price hike”

The comments below are unmoderated submissions by Live! readers. The Editor accepts no liability for their content, nor for any offence caused by them. Any complaints should be directed to the Editor.

1. Sam Sharpe

Jan 03 2002 21:58

HAHAHAHAHAH

that story would put Kevin to shame, it's as vague and sensationalist as you could possibly be. Where do they get these reporters?

Anyway, St Mary's Gym is student run, hence it is cheaper. There are no staff cost overheads. Nor is ICU charged for the space usage of the gym at St Mary's. The pool is of a smaller size and lower quality, hence entry is cheaper.

The same goes for the ICU Free Weights Gym, as my friend Mr Jalisi will no doubt admit. They have no cost outgoings for Staff, they get a generous grant for equipment from ICU... in fact they could probably charge their members a lot less than ?20 a year and still make money hand over fist.

Sorry guys, but the College Sports Centre works very differently. Having seen it's accounts several times, i know it gets a grant from College, it is *not* self-financing. In other words College is losing money on it.

Grow up and face fiscal realities. IC is not "ripping off students" it's simply balancing costs versus income.

2. Andy Heeps

Jan 04 2002 09:44

Has Sam been employed as Tony Mitcheson's spin doctor?

3. Paul J

Jan 04 2002 09:48

How could St Mary's pool be any smaller or of lower quality than the Imperial one? Are people swimming in a dirty puddle or what?

4. Mustafa Arif

Jan 04 2002 11:29

...and ULU have an Olympic size swimming pool for which they charge about the same amount as IC do for a swim.

5. Sam Sharpe

Jan 04 2002 14:18