A dad has branded a town’s “flagship” sporting venue, which hosts national and international events, a “disgrace” over the “dirty” state of the changing rooms.

John Williams, a member of the council-run Medway Park, said he’s been complaining about the run-down facilities for the past year.

A keen swimmer who uses the pool four times a week, John refuses to shower or use the toilets at the Gillingham leisure centre.

He’s moaned to staff about filthy water-stained floors and doors, limescale and mould in the men’s toilet and unclean leaking sinks.

The 54-year-old customer services manager has lodged two formal complaints and even invited the manager to accompany him on a tour so he could see his grievances first-hand.

Medway Council said its cleaners work hard to keep it as “clean as possible” and in addition to scheduled cleans it adds that “investment is ongoing”.

John says he’s now been advised to approach the ombudsman with his concerns.

The leisure centre user, who lives in Chatham and works for mhs homes, has paid for the council-run sports membership scheme for four years.

He said: “Medway Park is my nearest pool and is supposed to be the flagship sports centre. They hold big international events there.

“I’ve been to other pools, and Medway Park sticks out like a sore thumb.

John is also incensed that the local authority has recently increased his swim only monthly charge by eight per cent to more than £26.

He said: “The last time the council spent money on it was for the London Olympics in 2012.”

Investment is ongoing in our swimming pool changing facilities

A spokesman for Medway Council said: “Investment is ongoing in our swimming pool changing facilities.

“Work has now been completed to update our pre-swim shower area, with additional work carried out to professionally clean and remove limescale from floor tiles in the poolside and changing areas.

“Further works scheduled to start shortly include refurbishment of the male shower room, installation of new vanity units, and a full redecoration of the swimming pool changing facilities.

“Vinyl flooring is also due to be installed in the male toilet area from this week.

“Medway Park is a large busy centre, and our in-house cleaners work hard to keep it as clean as possible.”

Formerly the Black Lion Leisure Centre, the venue in Mill Road was officially opened by Princess Anne in 2011 after an £11million renovation.

Its elite standard athletics track was approved for Olympic and Paralympic training and it was used by international teams for practice sessions during the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Events hosted include the international women’s handball tournament and World Cup international wheelchair rugby.