Makino survey results pleasing

MAKINO Aquatic Centre Manager, Iain Brown, is quietly satisfied with the positive nature of comments received in the complex’s annual in-house customer survey.

Most people involved in the 2007/08 survey felt the facility was good value for money, provided a great service, set reasonable entry fees and was highly thought-of by children.

“One of the most pleasing aspects has been people’s perception of our cleanliness,” said Mr Brown, “as we’ve taken a special effort to make sure our toilet facilities and changing rooms are cleaned more than once a day.”

He was also pleased at comments on staff performances, especially those surrounding the lifeguards, with 87 percent of the public deeming their efficiency as good or excellent – a rise of 20 percent on last year’s rating.

“It’s quite hard for a lifeguard to appear enthusiastic when their job is to simply watch the water. People may think they are not doing anything, but they are carrying out a very important task.”

Seventy percent of those taking part in the survey were from Feilding, though there were replies by visitors from Bulls, Dannevirke, Marton and Palmerston North, while 77 percent of the respondents were women.

Mr Brown said comments on aqua aerobics and the swim school had been positive, with increased percentages recorded in the levels of helpfulness and efficiency by staff and instructors.

He said the Makino was always addressing performance through personal appraisal and always looked to lift the benchmarks. He also praised the “fantastic” team spirit that existed within the centre.

In the meantime, the Makino is set to enjoy one of its highest annual patronage figures on record.

With two months (May and June) to go in the financial year, the Makino has attracted an impressive 101,757 admissions – though not enough to threaten last year’s record yearly total of 122,000.

Mr Brown said the 2006/07 tally had been significantly boosted with large numbers at the Children’s Day in March and the effect of several large carnivals that were shared bi-annually with other centres.

Even though the Makino had settled into its “winter mode”, interest in the various classes on offer remained strong, with a second water walking session for people recovering from injuries likely to be introduced.

“On some afternoons we are very busy,” said Mr Brown, “as we’ve got a lot of people who want to use us in the winter months.

“We are looking forward to the prospect of possible development and extra pools through the Leisureville project and it would be great if we had a couple of extra lanes and a dedicated learner pool to take the pressure off our current facilities.”