A leisure service provider has had its contract terminated as one of its pools is yet to reopen more than nine months after closing.

Haringey Council announced on October 18 that it has given a one-year notice to leisure provider Fusion Lifestyle. 

This means that its management of the three facilities it currently runs in the borough will come to an end at the beginning of October 2024.

The leisure provider has since hit back, accusing the council's press release of being "misleading".

It told this paper: "Fusion wishes to express its disappointment and frustration at the misleading information contained in the press release issued by Haringey Council."

A spokesperson for the charity said that Fusion was "concerned about the impact this (the termination) has on the wellbeing of our staff", adding that it would continue to run the provision "with pride". 

It comes after ongoing problems at Tottenham Green Pools in Philip Lane, which has seen the centre’s pools closed since the start of the year.

Internal correspondence shared with this paper suggested that repeated flooding in the plant room of the leisure centre forced the initial pool closure, which has now lasted more than nine months.

Fusion-run Park Road Pools and Fitness in Crouch End was also shut due to “maintenance issues” earlier this year, but has since re-opened.

The leisure provider also operates Broadwater Farm Fitness Centre in Adams Road, Tottenham.

Haringey Council said in August that it was attempting to negotiate an exit from its contract with Fusion, but ultimately opted for termination after “both parties were unable to easily progress with this amicable approach”.

The council has said that future arrangements for the management of Fusion's centres will be decided following the conclusion of an ongoing review of leisure provision in the borough.

Council leader Cllr Peray Ahmet and Haringey’s cabinet member for culture, communities and leisure Cllr Emily Arkell released a joint statement announcing the termination of Fusion’s contract.

They said: “For some time now, the current outsourcing arrangement with Fusion Lifestyle was not considered to be providing the best quality service for those residents and groups that use our leisure facilities.”

The two councillors added: “We understand that residents may be frustrated by the time that this process is taking, however we are convinced that this is the best way forward towards our long-term ambition to deliver a high-quality leisure and wellbeing service which gives residents access to the full range of support they need to live active and healthy lives.

“We will continue to work with Fusion to ensure continued delivery of services across the three sites that it currently manages, and to address outstanding issues including the ongoing closure of the pools at Tottenham Green.”

A spokesperson for Fusion said: "We were unaware of this press release, despite being fully engaged in discussions with the council.

"Fusion can confirm it has been issued with a 'Council Voluntary Termination' as the council have confirmed they wish to take a different approach in the management of their leisure services. 

"Our focus will remain committed to the delivery of contract, while offering support to the council to achieve their objectives."