The proposed closure of two West Lancashire pools has raised concerns over the future of two local swimming and diving groups.
West Lancashire Council officers have recommended the closure of Park Pool, Ormskirk, and Nye Bevan Pool, Skelmersdale, with councillors voting on a final decision tonight (Feb 26).
Burscough Diving Club, based at the Nye Bevan Pool, have 31 active divers and eight support volunteers.
They say closure of the pool would most certainly affect their clubs ability to continue.
Scott Taylor, spokesperson for the club, said: “The closure of Nye Bevan will result in there being one remaining facility in the whole of the North West region, Manchester Aquatic Centre.
“The cost to hire the aquatic centre pool is too great for our club to sustain financially.
“Our nearest affordable alternative with operational diving boards is Bradford Shipley.
“The number of divers willing to travel that for regular training is limited.”
They added while there has been communication with the council, including via a hired consultant, the majority of it was “self-motivated and not by council engagement”.
Scott added: “The only direct communication with the council has been driven by our members and their parents.
“One parent in particular has been very active inviting councillors to see our club in action at the pool (only two councillors accepted the invitation).”
Another group set to affected by the closures is Ormskirk Otters, a swimming club based at Park Pool.
The club has 110 members and closure of the pool would mean the club would have to seek out an alternative facility, with the only option in Ormskirk being Edge Hill University.
A spokesperson said: “They do already have a very busy schedule for their pool advertised, so it is difficult to see how they could accommodate us.”
The club have also reiterated concerns from local political group Our West Lancashire (OWL) and Burscough Diving Club about communication from councillors.
“We wrote to every one of the West Lancashire councillors. All of the OWL, Conservative and Independent councillors have replied or phoned and many have visited us to talk with our volunteers, swimmers and parents.
“A few of the Labour councillors have replied to the email with pretty much a stock response. None of those have taken us up on visiting us.”
Prior to the council taking back control from Serco, the previous owners, “Park Pool was one of the best performing centres for Serco”, but has since struggled under council leadership.
OWL recently announced an alternative budget that could prevent the closure of two West Lancashire swimming pools.
Councillor Adrian Owens claims that the budget will allow the pools “to remain open and largely operate as they do now”.
He added: “The OWL budget includes provision for both pools and the gyms at both sites to remain open and largely operate as they do now though we would introduce an all-party councillor working group to find ways to reduce the subsidy that the pools require.
“We would make savings in the PR team and senior management structure.
“We would reduce councillor allowances and clampdown on the use of agency staff.”
The group have also outlined plans for a £5 million refurbishment for Park Pool as well as £5 million down payment to build a new leisure hub in Skelmersdale.
(Featured image by Heidi Hardman-Welsh)
