Fighting to keep pool open for all
Residents and teachers from Newbridge and Weston are stepping up the fight to save the outdoor heated swimming pool at the Royal United Hospital.
The pool, which has been open for almost 30 years, is facing the threat of closure because its operating costs exceed money from entry fees.
RUH director of estates and facilities Howard Jones has said he has no choice but to increase the cost of swimming to cover costs.
But teachers from Newbridge and St Mary's RC primary schools, residents and NHS workers are calling on Mr Jones to reconsider the proposal to double fees for users and look at other ways to keep it open.
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Newbridge community governor Katy Hancock said: "Rather than proudly publicising a facility that sits firmly at the heart of the NHS's pledge that prevention is better than cure, the estates and facilities directorate have decided to double charges, thereby financially pricing most local families out of the running."
Children from both schools use the pool for swimming lessons, and teachers are concerned about what they will do if it closes.
Newbridge head teacher John Croker said: "At a time when we talk about the legacy of the Olympics, and the increasing emphasis on health through an active lifestyle, we stand on the brink of losing a first-class local facility.
"The RUH swimming pool has been of huge benefit to Newbridge Primary School, not only as a pool where our children in Year 4 have their weekly lessons, but also as a wonderful resource for our families throughout the warmer months. I appreciate the RUH cannot be expected to run the facility at a loss but I hope the powers that be are ready to explore all options."
Mr Jones is asking people to commit to the pool by buying a season ticket, saying: "The pool is not run for profit and the costs of operating it safely are now higher than the funds we raise to run it. Unfortunately the pool is in need of significant investment and we have no choice but to increase the costs of swimming this year."
â Follow the campaigners' progress at www.thisisbath. co.uk
2 Comments
by woodruff70
Friday, March 15 2013, 12:41PM
“This swimming pool is slap bang in the area of the proposed hospital development - instead of making excuses as to why the pool has suddenly become too expensive to run the hospital, should come clean and admit tha REALLY the pool is now in the wrong place and, as such, it's days are numbered. Strewth!!!!”
by Dave_Weston
Thursday, March 14 2013, 10:22AM
“Wasn't that long ago that the second pool at the Uni was declared unsafe and closed leaving lots of kids without swimming lessons. Shortly afterwards the Uni submitted plans for new buildings on the site.
Now we have another deliberately unpublicised pool (most people in Weston don't even know it exists let alone how you get to use it) on a site undergoing lots of development which suddenly becomes uneconomic to run, racks up prices which will further deter users and so before long we have an unused pool which is an available site for development.
You then have a catch 22 situation, people who know nothing about the pool won't come and use it, let alone sign up blind for a £150 season ticket. How about having an open weekend where people can come along and see it (and maybe even try it) with a view to signing people up for season tickets having given it a go.”