POOL ROW CONTINUES

Angela Murphy • Published 12 Aug 2009 15:00 3 Comments

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RENFREWSHIRE Council has hit back at claims kids are missing out on free swimming lessons.

In the midst of controversial plans to close Johnstone and Elderslie pools, the local authority has been attacked by the opposition.

MSP Wendy Alexander claims the SNP/LibDem council has 'withdrawn' their promise to give free lessons to under-16s."

Wendy blasted: "Whilst children across England are being offered free access to council swimming pools, the SNP are holding Scottish kids back.

"Regardless of a family's income, our youngsters deserve the opportunity to take part in sport.

"The contrast couldn't be starker.

"Labour councils like Inverclyde are leading the way and showing the country how it is done - but the SNP can't even look and learn."

Glasgow and Inverclyde councils are the only Scottish councils to offer the free lessons.

SNP Councillor Iain Nicolson, Chair of Renfrewshire Leisure, responded: "This is another incredible gaffe by Wendy Alexander. "Free swimming for youngsters was scrapped by the previous Renfrewshire Labour Administration, not the SNP.

"Only two councils in Scotland offer free swimming to under 16's.

"We have taken our own approach to encouraging participation and teaching in swimming.

"Renfrewshire stands out positively with our £40 million leisure plans, that's triple what Labour were proposing."

"We have ensured 50 per cent discounts on swimming at all times for all under-18s.

"Last year 91,800 young people took advantage of those discounts to enjoy swimming in Renfrewshire - that's a success story."

Angry pool users are backing a campaign to fight the closures of the two pools, which will be replaced by a community 'hub' at Johnstone High School by 2010.

Campaign Secretary Lorraine Brown posted this comment on the Gazette website: "I agree that we need swimming pools that are up to the modern day standard, so why not rebuild Johnstone in the Town Centre which is accessible to all during the day and into the evening, and upgrade the pool in Elderslie.

"Both pools could have cafes in them to help generate funds to cover running costs.

"I am sure if we look hard enough we can still secure funding for projects like this even in a recession."

This article appeared in The Gazette 12 Aug 09

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Chris Barratt
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Aug 28, 13:58
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This is typical of Labour. Muck-raking and wasting tax-payers money on trying to stir up trouble. We can see through your lies and half-truths.

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D Inglis
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Sep 3, 11:03
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i have granchildren who use this service every weekend but the Johnstone High School is nit an alernative to them .

the pool is constantly open all there is always people using this facility.Do the local council want to delegate Johnstone to a place nobody either wants to live in or visit.

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James Grady
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Oct 4, 16:17
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I have just returned from my work at sea to hear that the Council is again not listening to the people of Johnstone.

Both my sons learned to swim at the Johnstone pool. When I am at home I like to use the pool for exercise.

Is Johnstone to loose everthing. No public toilets now it seems no public swimming pool, What are we to loose next?

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