Respondents were asked to think about their usage of different facilities before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Usage of current sport and leisure facilities
Frequency of visiting swimming pools
The following chart shows that over half of the survey respondents never visited Eastney Swimming Pool (56%) and just 17% visited at least once a week before the coronavirus pandemic.
The following chart shows that the largest proportion of respondents who visited Eastney Swimming Pool at least once a week live in the PO4 postcode district where the pool is located (22% net).
- Focusing on Eastney Swimming Pool, the majority of respondents never visited it (56%). 17% visited at least once a week in total, 7% visited once or twice a month and 19% visited less than once a month.
- A cross-tabulation by postcode revealed that the largest proportion of respondents who visited at least once a week live in the Eastney area where the pool is located (PO4 postcode district – 22% net). The greatest proportion who had never visited the pool live in the PO2 (76%) and PO6 (75%) areas.
Eastney Swimming Pool: never visited
The following chart shows that the condition of the building (36%) and the location of the pool (34%) were the main reasons why respondents never visited Eastney Swimming Pool.
The following table details the ‘other’ reasons respondents left explaining why they never visited Eastney Swimming Pool, with over a quarter of respondents explaining that they use swimming pools located elsewhere (26%).
Other responses (Base: 182)
| wdt_ID | Other responses | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I swim elsewhere | 26 |
| 2 | Not suitable for children | 14 |
| 3 | Timings of sessions and opening hours | 10 |
| 4 | New to area/ haven't had a chance to try this pool | 10 |
| 5 | Pool is too small | 9 |
| 6 | Pool is too unhygienic | 8 |
| 7 | Pool is too deep | 5 |
| 8 | Hard to find out about it, how to access it, how it works | 4 |
| 9 | No classes on offer that I wanted to attend | 4 |
| 10 | Pool is too cold | 3 |
- Over a third of respondents selected the condition of the building and/ or the location as reasons why they never visited Eastney Swimming Pool (36% and 34% respectively).
- A further 28% of respondents selected that it was the condition of the changing facilities, 22% selected that they do not go swimming, and 14% selected lack of parking.
- The most popular theme that emerged from a thematic analysis of the ‘other’ responses (18%) was that respondents use swimming facilities located elsewhere (26%).
- Comments were also made about the pool being unsuitable for families/ children, due to it being too cold, too deep, etc. (14%).
Eastney Swimming Pool: visitors
The following chart shows that lane swimming was the main reason why respondents visited Eastney Swimming Pool (64%), followed by visiting for recreational swimming (43%).
The following chart shows a cross-tabulation of reasons for visiting Eastney Swimming Pool by age. Lane swimming was most popular amongst 25-34 and 45-54 year olds (both 70%).
- The majority of respondents visited Eastney Swimming Pool for lane swimming (64%) whilst the smallest proportion of respondents visited to attend group classes (5%).
- The most popular ‘other’ reason (10%) for visiting was to attend swimming clubs/ activities, such as synchronised swimming and wet and wacky sessions (49%).
- There was variation by age; lane swimming was most popular amongst 25-34 and 45-54 year olds (both 70%), with 69% of 55-64 year olds also selecting it.
Recreational swimming was most popular amongst those aged 65 and over (55%), and 35-44 year olds (50%).
Eastney Swimming Pool: further comments
Q: If you have any comments about Eastney Swimming Pool, please share them with us below.
Base: 552 (showing themes mentioned by at least 20 respondents)
Some of our residents have said:
“Although old fashioned it provides a much needed swimming facility for this part of the city.”
“The location of Eastney pool is fantastic for those living in the city. The pool is 20m which is enough for an expert swimmer to be able to swim in. The pool has SO much potential but seems to lack financial support. I’ve never seen the facilities updated. If this were to be done, the pool would be improved greatly!”
“Eastney Swimming Pool is a lovely pool, enriched in history but very tired and long overdue a refurbishment.”
- The most popular comment was that Eastney Swimming pool is in a good location which is convenient for many of its users.
- Another common theme was around the pool being dated and run-down; this was split between respondents supporting a new pool at Bransbury Park or arguing Eastney Pool is historical and should stay open, but be upgraded.
- The pool was also described as a good swimming facility (e.g. quiet, a good size, simple to use, sociable, etc.), but the general poor condition of the facility was also discussed.
Frequency of visiting sports centres
The following chart shows that the majority of respondents never visited Wimbledon Park Sports Centre (81%) and just 7% visited at least once a week before the coronavirus pandemic.
The following chart shows that the largest proportion of respondents who visited Wimbledon Park Sports Centre at least once a week live in the PO5 postcode district where the centre is located (17%).
- Focusing on Wimbledon Park Sports Centre, an overwhelming majority of respondents never visited the facility (81%). 7% of respondents visited at least once a week in total, 3% at least once a month, and 9% visited less than once a month.
- The largest proportion of respondents who visited Wimbledon Park Sports Centre at least once a week live in the PO5 postcode district where the centre is located (17%). The greatest proportion of respondents who never visited the centre live in the PO6 (93%) and PO1 (90%) areas.
Wimbledon Park Sports Centre: never visited
The following chart shows that not knowing it was there (29%), the location of it (28%), and not playing sports/using a gym (26%) were the main reasons why respondents had never visited Wimbledon Park Sports Centre.
The following table details the ‘other’ reasons respondents left explaining why they never visited Wimbledon Park Sports Centre. Using a different gym/ sports centre in the city was the most popular theme, mentioned by 44% of this cohort.
Other responses | Base: 195
| wdt_ID | Other responses | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Use a different gym/ sports centre | 44 |
| 2 | Do not play the sports offered at Wimbledon Park Sports Centre | 27 |
| 3 | Lack of information about booking sessions, unaware of what facilities it has | 8 |
| 4 | Recently moved to the area/ no chance to visit | 6 |
| 5 | Lack of time, timing of sessions, opening hours | 4 |
| 6 | No exercise classes I wanted to attend | 3 |
- The top three reasons selected by respondents to explain why they had never visited Wimbledon Park Sports Centre were that they did not know it was there (29%), the location of it (28%), or they do not play sports/ use a gym (26%).
- A thematic analysis of the ‘other’ responses (14%) revealed a number of popular themes; the most frequently discussed was using gym/ sports centres located elsewhere (44%), followed by respondents explaining that they do not play the sports offered at Wimbledon Park Sports Centre e.g. badminton, basketball, table tennis (27%).
Wimbledon Park Sports Centre: visitors
This chart shows that the majority of respondents visited Wimbledon Park Sports Centre to play sports such as badminton (76%).
This chart shows a cross-tabulation of reasons for visiting Wimbledon Park Sports Centre by age. There was very little variation by age in terms of those who visited to play sports.
- Just over three quarters of respondents visited Wimbledon Park Sports Centre in order to play sports (76%), with a third also visiting the centre to use the gym (33%).
- Smaller proportions of respondents selected ‘community use’ (9%) and/ or ‘exercise classes’ (7%) as their reasons for visiting.
- A cross-tabulation by age revealed that there was very little variation in terms of those who visited to play sports. The gym was most popular amongst 25-34 year olds (40%), followed by those aged 65+ (35%).
Wimbledon Park Sports Centre: further comments
Q: If you have any comments about Wimbledon Park Sports Centre, please share them with us below.
Base: 194 (showing themes mentioned by at least 10 respondents)
Some of our residents have said:
“Wimbledon park has provided excellent local sports facilities which are within walking distance to those who live in central Portsmouth.”
“As a member of Southsea badminton club and playing casual badminton matches with friends, Wimbledon park has provided excellent local sports facilities which are within walking distance to those who live in central Portsmouth.”
“The centre & facilities need updating but there is potential to improve the site. Community sports space is very much needed in the city.”
- The main theme that emerged about Wimbledon Park Sports Centre was that it has good facilities for badminton; some claimed that it is the best facility in the city for the sport.
- The second most popular theme was around the location of Wimbledon Park Sports Centre; it is convenient, an essential part of the community, and used by local schools.
- Respondents also described the centre as friendly and functional, with good parking. However, the need for upgrades and improvements as it has become run-down and dated was also commonly discussed. There was also support for new courts at Bransbury Park due to the current premises being too busy and too small to cope with demand.