POOL CLOSURE WILL KILL OUR TOWN

Published 2 Sep 2009 14:25 15 Comments

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PENSIONERS, parents, campaigners and councillors were among those demanding answers on planned pool closures.

The council's Johnstone and Villages Area Committee, which was chaired by Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch councillor, Bruce McFee, used the meeting to explain their proposal.

But what followed was a backlash as angry residents asked why their swimming pools are to close.

Bob Darracott, director of planning and transport, outlined the plans that would see a new community sports hub at Linwood Sports Centre and at Johnstone High School

He explained this would mean greater integration of services, new improved outdoor facilities, extended opening hours, extended availability at peak times at Johnstone Sport Hub and there would be a detailed investigation into future of Johnstone and Elderslie own Centres.

The pools at Elderslie and Johnstone will remain open until the new facilities are ready for use, possibly in 2013.

There was major concern about travel to and from the new centres and people commented on the fact there are no direct bus links from Elderslie to Linwood or to Johnstone High School.

Mr Darracott said: "We do recognise that we need to improve bus links.

"We will, in the next two years, work with SPT and Arriva to improve bus services.

Joyce McKellar, chief executive of Renfrewshie Leisure Limited, said: "We are actively giving you a better quality service."

One major concern is the effect it will have on business but the council are adamant that the footfall would not drop considerably.

However shop owner, Stacey Thompson, is worried.

She said: "Your are taking the heart out of my town.

"My shop is going to be affected.

"A lot of this is rubbish and closing the pool down will have a large impact on the town centre."

Councillor for Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch Neil Bibby agreed, saying: "Johnstone Swimming Pool is second busiest behind the Lagoon with 164,000 a year.

"I don't know how they can say 500 people a day can't make an impact on the town centre."

After the meeting SNP Councillor for Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch, David Arthur, said: "I agree that people don't like change, especially when it is on their own doorstep.

"Renfrewshire Council's radical plans will see two new state-of-the-art facilities, including swimming pools, followed by the future regeneration of Johnstone and Elderslie Town Centre"

His colleague, Tracie McGee, councillor for Johnstone South, Elderslie and Howwood added: "I have met with the Elderlsie Community Council and members of my constituency but I would be delighted to speak to anyone with any alternative plans."

Hugh Henry, MSP for Paisley South, was also at the meeting. He said: "Essentially the council need to listen to the views of the people in Johnstone and Elderslie.

"A school based swimming pool is not a substitute for a town centre community facility."

Lorraine Brown, press officer for the Save Our Pools campaign, was unhappy with the lack of answers the public received.

She said: "We are very disappointed and unhappy at the lack of response and lack of understanding from the panel.

"There just not getting the fact that nobody wants this and they are ripping the heart of the community away.

"The council know the cost of everything but the value of nothing."

After the meeting Councillor Bibby said: "There wasover a hundred people here tonight and not one was in favour of the proposal.

"The message is loud and clear."

This article appeared in The Gazette 02 Sep 09

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Campbell Cowan
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Sep 2, 16:05
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The school based pool at Johnstone High school is far too small having only 4 lanes instead of 6 at Elderslie and Johnstone pools.You can't replace two 6 lane pools with a 4 lane pool, this will not be big enough for the volume of swimmers currently using the town centre pools many of whom travel short distances and will find the bus (if there is one) journey to Linwood awkward with bad connections.

What about early birds those who swim before work? the High school pool will be closed to the public until after school hours, a waste of a resource not opening early.

As far as improving and developing Johnstone town centre what do the planners have in mind to replace the pool,another block of flats?

All thats happening here is that you are closing down Johnstone and Elderslie pools to give Linwood a pool, The proposed High school pool is far too small and badly located with restricted hours to be of any use to the swimmers of Johnstone and Elderslie.

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S. MCINTOSH
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Sep 3, 15:49
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The pool that I learned to swim in, was in Calder Street ,Govanhill, Glasgow. The pool was closed by the Labour controlled Council, who said folk should use the new Gorbals pool. The local folk got together and faught to keep it open. The fight involved confrontation with the police. It was still shut. The local folk organized and now hope to run the pool themselves. The moral? Do not trust the Labour politicians who say one thing in one place and another elsewhere. Especially the ones who shut the Libraries in Johnstone and then have the cheek to complain about shut libraries! Fight for your cause but do not trust those who wish to use you for political purposes.

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Lorraine Brown
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Sep 3, 19:03
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There is strong public anger towards the closure plans. the Renfrewshire Council Officers showed sheer arrogance and contempt towards public at Monday night's LAC meeting. The so-called public consultation was a disgrace, covering only about 1 percent of the population. Renfrewshire Council is totally clueless regarding the value the local communities place on these facilities, and their consecutive failure to capitalize on these facilities to foster and encourage community spirit. (Abysmal lack of care and imagination on the part of the Local Government whose job it is to encourage and nurture communities).

It became more obvious on Monday night that the ‘bean-counters' up at the council are treating all the "leisure assets" (their own words – not mine) as if they were only tangible assets whose value can only be quantified in financial terms. But they are much, much more than that. They provide a public service that is not only useful for improving the physical health of the local population: they improve the quality of life for a lot of people, provide healthy opportunities to soc*alise and make friends with people as well as providing much needed passing trade to local small businesses. Johnstone and Elderslie Baths are the most used swimming pools in Renfrewshire (the Lagoon, as a fun pool had the highest number of customers), and the most recent figures available to us show that Johnstone Swimming Pool took in over 164,000 patrons in one year: Elderslie came 2nd at 97,000 in the same year. Again, the people and business owners and employees enjoy good relations with the members of the community – all of which serves to provide a good quality experience of life in Elderslie and Johnstone Town Centre. Imagine Johnstone town centre shops losing 164,000 potential customers a year, and imagine Elderslie Stoddard Square shops losing 97,000 potential customers a year. This would hit the shops hard and they could close. So much for a council that wishes to invest in the town and village centre when even they admit that they have no money to build replacement attractions into the areas.

The current locations of the pools are ideal for improving the quality of life and general quality of experience in the village and town centres in that they are very easy to get to (only within 10 to 20 mins on the bus) and that the town and village centres are ‘one-stop-shops' for people who wish to use the baths and the local shops and cafes.

If the planned proposals go ahead people have to make separate trips to the baths at either Johnstone High or Linwood and then to the shops (unfair for the elderly, the sick and disabled and families with young children). This will just simply make life harder and will serve to remove the much-needed custom and friendship away from the shops in the town and village centres.

Their consistent ignorance to the fact that our ‘community hubs' are already established in the town and village centres is staggering. These need to be nurtured and encouraged to grow. Not uprooted and transplanted onto areas that most people will not go most of the time.

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Appalled
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Sep 3, 22:02
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The meeting on Monday night was eye opening, to say the least. it is evident that the Council intend to go ahead and do as they wish, irrespective of the wishes of the council tax payers of Johnstone.

In some ways I felt sorry for the way the Headmaster of Johnstone High was paraded before the meeting. Any educator worth their salt wants improved facilities, but to be asked to appear to defend the actions of his masters was an invidious position to place him in.

No mention was made of the impact on Under 5's who can currently use the baby pool at Johnstone, then head to the library. If you think any non drivers with a pre school child will hike a buggy up the Linn Brae and along the Beith Road before 9am or after 4pm, you need to think again.

The comment by a councillor that 'people do not come out of the baths and go shopping' shows their lack of understanding entirely. Ask staff in any of the town centre shops (cafes in particular) and they will tell you they are always serving folk with wet hair who have been swimming.

As for what will replace the Johnstone Pool- surprise, the Council wants to build a new Town Hall there.

Councillors need to be aware that people have long memories and that voters will exercise their democratic right to remove the culprits at the next election. The guilty 'public servants' can only get away with their utter betrayal of the electorate for so long. How any of the SNP councillors who voted for this move will have the gall to show their faces in the town centre again is beyond me.

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Janie Baxter
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Sep 5, 11:09
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We are all very angry in Johnstone and Elderslie regarding the proposed closure of our swimming pools. Local Councillors are voted into a position of trust to represent the people. Regarding our swimming pools I hear local people saying in no uncertain terms that they do not want the changes. I read SNP Councillor for Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch, David Arthur saying "I agree that people don't like change, especially when it is on their own doorstep". It sounds to me as though it is not so much change as deprivation that people are angry about, not change. Shops deprived of customers and many people deprived of health giving opportunities, I myself am able to say that my health has been at its absolute best when swimming four times a week at the Johnstone pool. How many more people can say the same? Also, new facilities mean new prices. Will we be able to afford it?

Bruce McPhee is reported to have said "If someone was to present a properly costed plan then I would be very happy to see it". Our swimming pools are not used by people who have the know how or ability to produce properly costed plans - if they were then none of us would bother to use our local pool for we would have better paid jobs than enabled us to use the expensive leisure clubs in the area. And even if we could take on such a task he is "happy to see it". Well isn't that nice. I wonder how many people feel depressed and beaten already by this shocking revelation that we need to do this sort of thing in order to save our pool. It is not our job to do so and it should not be made to look as though it is.

As regards buses, I think it very strange that all of a sudden a completely hopeless bus service should need to be improved because councillors want us to have a new leisure centre. Have you tried getting out of Elderslie lately after 6.00 pm at night - not for leisure but for work! Buses that should turn up don't. Where is the evidence that this will change because of a few leisure centres?

Finally, what is this whole argument all about. I wonder if it is about councillors wanting to show they have made a difference in the area and will therefore be remembered for their success. It is certainly not about giving the people of the area what they want because it is quite clear it is not what they want. It seems to me it is an abuse of the powers these councillors have and they should therefore not have the authority that enables them to do as they please.

It seems there is going to have to be change, but wouldn't it be so nice for the local people of this town to be heard and in their turn to hear the councillors. Perhaps then a compromise could be reached. No one getting entirely their own way. The existing Johnstone pool could be updated and Linwood Sports centre could have all the latest plans for it put into place. This would then enable us all to see how well each centre was doing and the local people of Johnstone and Elderslie may feel they had been heard and their feelings and needs adhered to. I would dearly lover to see it.

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alan michaels
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Sep 7, 14:01
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Sorry, I don't understand all the moaning -two outdated pools replaced by two new modern pools! Okay they may have to be moved a bit but surely the idea of new facilities is worth it, especially the sports hub idea - where it will be easier to access a range of options. I think the protesters are a diminishing lot - the numbers have dropped considerably over the past few weeks and will continue to do so as the full sports plans get decent coverage.

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Carol Wilkie
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Sep 10, 07:29
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I feel completely depressed. I use the pool in Johnstone 3-4 times a week. I have bought a yearly ticket for the last 7 years. Last week after swimming I spent £20 in Somerfield , £20 in the card shop and I was in the chemist and Stoddarts. I probably shop almost every time I am at the pool. I won't go to another pool then drive to shop at Johnstone. I can afford to go anywhere to swim but I chose Johnstone because it is local and handy. I want to support Johnstone but I fear it is doomed.

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Jock Thompson
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Sep 16, 12:01
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If the council claims to represent it's constituents why not put the proposed closure plans of Johnstone and Elderslie pools to the vote in the form of a referendum? Perhaps, because they fear public opinion?

Mr. Michaels posting appears somewhat self centered, the changes may suit him, but what about the majority of local people in Johnstone and Elderslie. He admits that "I don't understand all the moaning..." perhaps if he considered other folks' needs rather than his own he might better understand why people were initially disappointed, and now increasingly angry.

The Labour/SNP recently sanctioned the closure of Elderslie library, now the SNP want to shut the pools? what next?

It is not just the anticipated closure of the pools that are concerning people, if is the processes as to how this decision was made in the first place. Being 'consulted to', is not the same as being consulted with'.

I thought that Labour and SNP council members were supposed to represent in the interest of local folk , not work to a simple cost cutting agenda. The opportunity cost to the local community, businesses and people moving into the area far outweighs the savings stemming from site consolidation.

If the council members think that this issue will simple go away by ignoring it, they ARE VERY WRONG! The folk of Johnstone and Elderslie may decide to remember lack of consultation come election time

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G Murray
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Sep 16, 18:27
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Unfortunately as much as everyone wants to see the baths remain where they are, if the council want it they will get their way regardless of what the voting public want.

If we were to be privy to the councils dealing we would probably see that the plans for whatever is going to take the place of the baths and the town hall will already be on the table and sitting waiting to be passed by, wait for it, the councils own planning department.

It is obvious to anyone who lives in Renfrewshire that Johnstone is a very poor relation to the rest of the area. The money that is spent in Paisley and particularly Renfrew is there to be seen. After all both Erskine and Renfrew are getting to keep their pools even though the Renfrew one is only about a decade away drom being 100 years old. Even the new Renfrew's sports facility is getting it's changing facilities done up, and that after only being open for about 4 or 5 years but there is no money for Johnstone baths to be upgraded.

I remember trying to fight proposals for a mental health unit and houses being built in the Cochrane Castle area where nearly 500 people lodged an objection to the plans, needless to say the council was making money out of selling the land so it was all passed, no doubt a done deal before anyone even knew of the proposals. So unfortunately I think that as much as peoples focus is well intentioned we all know the final outcome......

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Craig Douglas
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Sep 17, 15:32
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Renfrewshire council strike again! They seem hell bend on destroying leisure facilities in the area. A few years back they decided to close the ice rink at the Lagoon. Promises were made that there would be facilities at Braehead. as soon as the transfer was complete, Braehead management shut the small rink and limited public skating on the main rink to 1 or 2 sessions a month!! All the promises they make about the new facilities for swimming in Johnstone/Elderslie should be taken with a cynical view, In light of what they did to the ice skating. It beggars belief that in this day and age when we are all being told to stop being so unhealthy, council' still want to cut and limit services. Particularly, ones that are very well attended!

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Gordon Murray
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Sep 18, 14:11
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Just another point to add to my previous post. If there is a lack of money for facilities then how can the council afford to build 2 new pools. Why not modernise the 2 existing pools or bulldoze the Johnstone one and build a new one on the same site.

Again this leads on to the fact that they know exactly what is happening with the 2 existing sites ie, someone is going to buy it from them. as they would not be laying out the vast amount of money to build 2 new pools elsewhere.

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anon
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Sep 26, 11:36
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nothing like a good conspiracy theory

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Pamela
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Jan 21, 15:29
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We've already lost our library in Elderslie, now the council want to take away our swimming pool.

Do these people ever give any consideration to those without transport?

Do they ever listen to public opinion?

Instead of taking facilities away from Elderslie and Johnstone, they should be spending the money re-vamping both pools, as they are popular, well-used and centrally located.

Next thing you know they'll be taking school buses away from the children.....Oh wait a minute, they've decided to do that too!

Soon we'll be left with nothing more than our recycling bins

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patrick donnelly
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Apr 24, 11:37
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i recently arguged with an snp councillor about the johnstone pool closure and the closesure of the public toilets and the answer i got was a lot of **** councillor doig seems to claim that the people of johnstone are in favour of the closure of johnstone swimming pool and not only that he alo says that the shop keeper of the town are too the snp are destroying the heart and soul of johnstone and this must be stoped thay dont give a damn about public opinion

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MAC
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Apr 25, 15:28
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The Johnstone pool was taken out of council hands and put into a charity run scheme by the last LABOUR run council. Now when it suits them they come crying to us for votes and for money to patch up the old baths. If the same prices were charged for entry to the baths as folk pay out for entry to Parkhead or Ibrox then these baths could continue to be patched up. Far better to go for new affordable swimming pools.

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