London Pools Campaign: news from the campaign for London's pools

Is the ASA’s “Gem of a program” the solution to participation or the death knell for amateur swimming clubs?

Back in August, Colin Brown, director of London Region ASA, came up with what seemed, on the face of it, like a good idea. Based on “a gem of a program” in Barnet.

"The strength of the system comes from the fact Greenwich Leisure Ltd operate the pools on Barnet Council's behalf and they have implemented a coherent pathway from beginner to competitive swimmer with a diving and sychronised swimming section aiding retention. From learn-to-swim upwards the programme has had a 90 per cent take-up rate at the next level. The pathway was clearly both transparent and successful" [LINK]
and ... "Brown hopes the new model in which coaches are effectively employed by the pool operator rather than the club will also massively cut down on the administrative tasks carried out by the hard working army of volunteers who help keep the sport afloat" [LINK]

Sounds good, sets up a pathway into competitive swimming, covers all watersports, cuts down on work for volunteers?

However the reality is not turning out so jewel-like for ASA registered swimming clubs who are starting to be told that they are no longer part of the plan. Under the new scheme, only one club will be allowed per borough and that will be run by the leisure contractor.

One correspondent on Pooling Resources has written

"This isn't an isolated incident, London Swimming it seems have been talking to Local leisure providers (GLL, Leisure Connection, Parkwood etc) and the councils they work for, but, not necessarily the clubs involved, and seem to be putting in place the changes they want whether the clubs want it or not!

It also seems that the idea of swimming being the all encompassing activity will come true to. There was no mention of diving in the document, and I was informed that the 'Aquatics clubs' in each area will come together under the leisure providers..... Those that won't play ball will be frozen out. So, the plan seems to be that each borough will have a single 'aquatics club' run by the profit making Leisure provider. [LINK]"

For 140 years the sport of amateur swimming has been run by independent amateur swimming clubs. Is that now a thing of the past to be replaced by new 'commercially robust' methods?

(Via poolingresources : Message: Strategic plan??: .)

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| ASA | 6 November 2007; 5:21:27 PM |# | | Discuss |

Work on Winsford centre to begin in January

Another 25-metre pool and teaching-puddle makes it to contract.

"Vale Royal Borough Council has announced plans to build a new £10.8m leisure centre in Winsford, Cheshire.

The Lifestyle Centre at Winsford will include an events hall, a 25m swimming pool, teaching pool, squash courts, dance studio and a health and fitness club.

Other facilities will include a cyber café, bar and conference space.

To be operated by the council, the new facility will replace the existing Winsford Sports Complex and is part of the Winning Winsford regeneration programme, which will include the redevelopment of the town’s waterfront."

(Via Leisure Opportunities: Work on Winsford centre to begin in January: .)

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Revamped leisure offering for Wiltshire

It often happens that after contract negotiations and divesting themselves of centres that do not fit with the business plan or the fitness demographic a package of improvements is announced for the remaining desirable facilities. We have no idea if this is what happens here but we wish everyone at Calne Leisure Centre all the luck with their new not-for-profit venture.

"North Wiltshire District Council is refurbishing all four of its leisure centres.

The £750,000 investment will upgrade The Olympiad, Lime Kiln and Springfield Leisure Centres, as well as The Activity Zone, managed by DC Leisure in partnership with the council.

Springfield Leisure Centre in Corsham and Lime Kiln Leisure Centre in Wootton Bassett will both feature new gym extensions, complete with new equipment, to be completed in 2008."

(Via Leisure Opportunities: Revamped leisure offering for Wiltshire: .)

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