London Pools Campaign: national news

From dips to deaths ... shop around to find the best council deals

webteam — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:27:47 GMT

"If you are a pensioner and you want a free swim in London, choose a pool in Brent, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham and Westminster and it won't cost a penny. If you are over 60 and still can't swim and want to learn, instruction is also free in Westminster and Lambeth. But avoid going to Bromley - where it is £3 a time and £10.20 an hour for swimming instruction or Richmond on Thames where it is £3.50 a session.
Outside the capital pensioners can only swim free in the Wirral and Wigan in England but have a much better choice in Wales. Here pensioners are not charged in Blaenau Gwent, Conwy, Ynys Mon (Anglesey), Powys, Rhondda, and Torfaen. ..."
So the answer seems to be keep fit and enjoying swimming in Westminster but move to Nottinghamshire when you think you are about to die. Figures are all supplied by the Chartered Institute of Public Acountancy.

(Via From dips to deaths ... shop around to find the best council deals | Society | Society Guardian: .)

Swimming Pool Plan Dead In Water (from The Bolton News)

webteam — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:33:05 GMT

After the lift given in Bolton by new facilities in the town itself and in nearby Manchester for other sports you would have thought ....

"PLANS for a £10.6 million town centre swimming pool and health centre at the University of Bolton look to be dead in the water.

Leading councillors say university chiefs are dragging their heels in making a decision to commit to the projects and are now looking at four alternative sites with the Bolton Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The 25-metre eight-lane pool at the Deane Road campus was approved by Bolton Council last October and would have been shared with the university.

Bolton town centre has been without a pool since the Water Place closed in 2002 with yearly debts of £750,000"

(Via Swimming Pool Plan Dead In Water (from The Bolton News): .)

Exmouth Journal - Dads step out to fund swimming pool works

webteam — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:28:31 GMT

"A GROUP of 15 Budleigh Salterton dads recently pulled on their walking shoes and stepped out to raise funds for St Peter's Primary School swimming pool.

Andrew Cotton, of Granary Lane, organised the cliff top walk from Sidmouth to Budleigh in aid of the Warm Wish Swimming Pool fund - a legacy set up in memory of his mum, Pat Cotton, who died in 2002.

Mr Cotton, 36, and the 14 other dads' efforts raised more than £1,200 to help build new brick changing facilities"

(Via Exmouth Journal - Dads step out to fund swimming pool works: .)

Swimming pool will be closed until March - Clitheroe Today

webteam — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:10:59 GMT

"SWIMMERS in Ribble Valley are being advised that Ribblesdale Pool in Edisford Road, Clitheroe, closes on Sunday for 10 weeks.

The pool will re-open on Saturday, March 1st, following an overhaul of its heating system and wiring.
Vouchers for free induction and fitness room sessions at the nearby Roefield Leisure Centre are available at the pool until Sunday. "

(Via Swimming pool will be closed until March - Clitheroe Today: .)

The future of a unique nineteenth century swimming pool could now lie in private hands.

webteam — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 04:21:42 GMT

The thing is ... as a councillor we once knew said to an officer we once knew, "If you let these people do this in their evenings, after they have done a day at their own work, what is the point of you and me?". Hopefully that frame of mind does not exist here

"The future of a unique 19th century swimming pool could now lie in private hands.

A senior politician has decided that the Cleveland Baths in Hampton Row, which have not been in regular use since 1978, should be put on the open market.

A charitable trust had wanted to be given a lease to breathe new life into what are the oldest open-air public baths in Britain.

The facility, the only public Georgian swimming baths in the country, can trace its history back to the early 19th century and is owned by Bath and North East Somerset Council.

The Cleveland Pools Trust has been set up by local campaigners to bring the baths back into use, but if it wants the property it will now have to bid against other would-be buyers."

(Via The future of a unique 19th century swimming pool could now lie in private hands.: .)

Latest Mums In Pool Protest (from South Wales Argus)

webteam — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:47:04 GMT

"THREE mothers are holding a protest at a Gwent leisure centre as they continue the fight to save their town's only swimming pool.

The campaigners are demanding a representative comes to meet them at the site of Blaenavon Leisure Centre to hear their views. They said they will not leave until their request is met.

The council voted to close the pool and centre and flatten it to make way for a new £12 million school.

The women, members of campaign group BLAST(Blaenavon Leisure and Swimming Troubleshooters) arrived at the leisure centre site at 9am this morning to try and determine when work to bring down the roof of the pool will start.

BLAST accepts the leisure centre will go but wants to preserve the pool, which is in a separate building, and run it as a charitable trust.

Protester Claire Higgins, 37, who has three young children, said: 'We want someone to meet us face to face. Torfaen Council have not listened to us and they have not listened to the Assembly."

(Via Latest Mums In Pool Protest (from South Wales Argus): .)

Closure of Harlow Pool, report to council is questioned on POOLING RESOURCES

webteam — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 23:16:07 GMT

This article about the pool-closure recommendations by Harlow officers fails to answer some of the questions being asked elsewhere.

"Closure of Harlow Pool, report

Well, isn't this interesting!
Isn't it odd that the findings were like this, how convenient! One should I suppose ask three questions:

1) How come the routine maintenance programme that the council obviously has in place for a major municipal facility like a swimming pool has allowed the building to get into this state??

2)If the council do not have the expertise in house to check on the condition of it's buildings then why does it not have an on going programme checking on the condition of them on an annual basis?

3) How long has it allowed members of the public and it's staff to work and play in such an unsafe environment that it has to be closed immediately??

One could also question the safety of all the other council properties?"

(Via POOLING RESOURCES poolingresources : Message: Re: Closure of Harlow Pool: .)

Derek Mapp resigns as Sport England chair

webteam — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:28:54 GMT

The Department of Health is given the participation agenda and told to get the lard-balls running around as the obesity and diabetes crisis deepens. Sport England is told to forget about happy-smiling photo ops and propping up building budgets for 'The Games' and be a financial clearing-house for the governing bodies of sports and their elite programmes. The governing bodies will be told to do what they say they do and get some medals via elite programmes, or else. The old boys from rugby will have something to say about this.
Sport England chairman Derek Mapp has quit after the government announced changes to the organisation's role.

Mapp claimed he was forced to quit. "I am deeply unhappy. I was willing to continue to deliver the new agenda but that was not deemed acceptable."

Responsibility for getting the nation active has removed from Sport England and handed to the Department of Health.

Sport England will be told to focus on increasing sports participation, mainly but not exclusively through clubs.

Mapp had advised James Purnell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, to be cautious about pushing through the changes as he was concerned some organisations would be left without any funding,

(Via BBC SPORT | Sport England chairman quits job: .)

"The chair of Sport England, Derek Mapp, has resigned today (29 November). The following statement has been issued by chief executive Jennie Price:"

(Via Leisure Opportunities News Derek Mapp resigns as Sport England chair: .)

Football fans from all over Europe chanting "Croatia, Croatia" at England fans this week will have sent a chill through the blazered administrators from every sport but it's business as usual for some: 2006, 2007 - reminds us of deja vu?

Fight to save swimming pool lost

webteam — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 07:46:18 GMT

Dragging people around by their cardigan wins near Cardiganshire.

"A pool swimmers had battled to save at the Welsh Institute of Sport is to close to make way for a judo facility.
The decision to shut the pool in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, has been made by the Sports Council for Wales (SCW).
It said the city, where 25m and 50m pools are soon to open in Cardiff Bay, is well served for swimming facilities but has no dedicated judo centre."

(Via BBC NEWS | Wales | South East Wales | Fight to save swimming pool lost: .)

Action urged on school swimming - file in the drawer marked: "flippin' obvious"

webteam — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:01:46 GMT

Is this what happens when local authorities 'promote' rather than 'provide'? Is it us or do the quotes say one thing and the report say another?

"An Ofsted report said most 11-year-olds did now reach the national curriculum target of being able to swim 25 metres [LINK].
Evidence from this small sample of schools suggested that pupils from some black minority ethnic groups often started with less experience of swimming than other groups and made the least progress.

"Providers did not always recognise or acknowledge this in their planning. "Instances of good practice included consultation with a local mosque on how to improve participation of Muslim pupils, and family swimming programmes to involve parents from black minority ethnic groups."

Gifted and talented swimmers were often not well catered for, the report said. And the tracking of the individual progress made by all pupils was generally not well done.

"Teaching was often less effective with pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

"The swimming teachers lacked experience and confidence with these pupils and sometimes resorted to excluding them from lessons in the absence of other strategies," said the report."

Children's Minister Kevin Brennan said: I am encouraged that well over half of pupils targeted by the national top-up programme are learning to swim and meeting the national curriculum requirement.

"This represents a real achievement since these pupils were poor or non-swimmers before."

Ofsted found however that the effect of the national top-up programme for weak swimmers had been mixed [LINK].

"In half the schools visited the impact was inadequate, so that too many pupils entered Key Stage 3 unable to swim the expected 25 metres." "

(Via BBC NEWS | Education | Action urged on school swimming: .)

SIV reveals design of Ponds Forge

webteam — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:17:23 GMT

"The new gym at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield designed by architects Race Cottam Associates has been revealed."

(Via Leisure Opportunities News SIV reveals design of Ponds Forge: .)

Harlech Pool re-opens!

webteam — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:33:42 GMT

Following essential repair work, the Harlech Swimming Pool has re-opened this afternoon (12/11/07). Swimming lessons and regular swimming activities will re-start from this afternoon onwards. [LINK]

A SWIMMING pool closed without warning for repairs is to reopen ‘very soon’ after protests by parents.

Dozens of pupils had their lessons cancelled after Gwynedd council officials shut Harlech swimming pool because of ‘an electrical fault’. [LINK]

The council said substantial electrical work was needed to rectify the problem, complicated by the presence of asbestos in the building’s infrastructure.

Last night Marianne Jackson, of Gwynedd’s lifelong learning service, said: ‘Work to repair a serious electrical fault at Harlech swimming pool is progressing well, and we hope to be in a position to reopen the pool very soon."

(Via Pledge to reopen shutdown pool soon - North Wales News - News - Daily Post North Wales: .)

Work on Winsford centre to begin in January

webteam — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:55:40 GMT

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: .)

Revamped leisure offering for Wiltshire

webteam — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:55:27 GMT

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: .)

Shortchanged Over Swimming (from York Press)

webteam — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:02:29 GMT

"It seems to me that the politics of York are in a despotic situation, with a leaning towards sectionalism. It is my opinion that there are too many hidden agendas in the whole saga of the swimming pool business.

Do the Lib Dems have the right to sign away £2 million of York taxpayers' money, on a half-promise that the swimmers of York will be accommodated in a pool built on a university campus of several thousand students, who are mainly on staggered lessons and who could drop in for a dip at any time of day?
I think perhaps the ordinary swimmers of York, who are entitled under the Government's sports and leisure policies to have recreational facilities, including swimming, provided are being short-changed."

(Via This is York Shortchanged Over Swimming (from York Press): .)

Leicestershire, Pools close for £500,000 revamp

webteam — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:25:13 GMT

"Two swimming pools in Leicester are to close for three months to allow major refurbishment work to be carried out.

Cossington Street Sports Centre is to close on 5 November while the pool is completely overhauled and new family and disabled changing rooms put in.

Beaumont Leys Pool will close on 30 October to allow general maintenance work and a revamp of the wet changing area to be carried out.

The city council apologised for the closures but said plans were on track.

Mark Laywood, sports project manager from Leicester City Council, said: 'We appreciate there's never a good time to shut any pool."

(So shut two together Mark? Ed)

(Via BBC NEWS | England | Leicestershire | Pools close for £500,000 revamp: .)

Concern at Gwynedd pool's sudden closure

webteam — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 05:13:07 GMT

Perhaps the young people of Harlech will now go to the pool built in Croesor by the community there without support from Gwynedd Council [LINK]

"Users of a Gwynedd swimming pool fear it may be lost permanently after it was closed due to an electrical fault.

The closure at Harlech has been criticised by swimmers, who claim Gwynedd Council has been looking at ways to close the pool to save money.

A council spokesman admitted its financial position was 'precarious' and apologised for having to shut the pool on Wednesday 'until further notice'.

All leisure and sport activities were currently under review, he added."

(Via BBC NEWS | Wales | North West Wales | Concern at pool's sudden closure: .)

Sport England appoints commercial director

webteam — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:01:57 GMT

On one hand we have to wonder why it has taken until now for sport England to take a serious look at sponsorship. On the other hand it is no secret that there are big changes at Sport England with a lot of their funding being redirected to the holes appearing in the Lea Valley. The cost of those holes has created 10,000,000 reasons to appoint now and, we are told, they have appointed well.

"Sport England has appointed Thomas Godfrey as its first ever commercial director, where he will be responsible for securing partnership funding from the private sector for community sport.

Thomas was formerly a partner at sports marketing company Spring Worldwide. He has also been chief executive at Planet Sport which provides outsourced sports education to primary and nursery schools and founded Activate UK, which pioneered the concept of corporate involvement in grass roots sport in the UK.

Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport England said: Thomas will bring a new dimension to Sport England with his direct experience of working on the commercial side of sport. Sport England needs to tap into all the know-how the private sector has to offer and Thomas has the knowledge and experience to make that happen."

(Via Leisure Opportunities: Sport England appoints commercial director: .)

UK's largest leisure PFI underway, or is it?

webteam — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:53:08 GMT

So do we have this right? In the future, the leisure operators will be the only people who can deliver school-swimming, sport-swimming, elite swimming, private swimming tuition, and the membership gyms in municipal leisure centres that were built for them by taxpayers and sport. Also they will be leasing new leisure centres to the very same authorities that pay them to open them, with interest. What will the flow-chart of the model look like? Answers on a postcard please.

As our memory is not impaired by the bigger-and-better syndrome so common within pfi circles we do remember that even larger pfi contracts have already been signed and delivered. The Downham Lifestyles Centre, that opened in Lewisham this year came at a cost of £70m.

"The start of the UK's largest leisure PFI contract was marked with a Ground Breaking Ceremony at St. Ann's Leisure Centre in Rotherham. (Friday 19th Oct 2007) This project will cost £35 million and involve RMBC (Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council) in a staggering 32 year contract. It will include the construction of a swimming and fitness centre at St Ann's, two dual purpose leisure facilities at Wath and Aston and a multi-million devpt at Maltby.

Barclays Bank, DC Leisure, Willmott Dixon, and Hoopers architects are just some of the companies involved.

Previous messages on this forum have noted that the leisure industry is keen to see more PFI projects. [LINK]

[LINK to main story.]

(Via poolingresources : Message: Builder & Engineer - UK's largest leisure PFI underway: .)

£380,000 revamp for Hertfordshire gyms

webteam — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:39:54 GMT

"Beaumonts Gym at The Venue in Borehamwood has reopened following a major renovation and equipment replacement as part of a £380,000 investment by Hertsmere Borough Council."

(Via Leisure Opportunities News £380,000 revamp for Hertfordshire gyms: .)

Swimming Brand Manager for Coventry sought

webteam — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 17:15:32 GMT

"This post is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the further development of Swimming opportunities for the people of Coventry.

Currently the Coventry Sports Trust manages four pools in the City. Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre includes a 50m pool with diving facility, a Teaching pool and a Leisure Pool. Plus an additional 2 Pools at Foleshill Leisure Centre and Community use at two School Pools. "

(Via Leisure Opportunities Leisure Opportunities: Swimming Brand Manager: .)

Shropshire centre's swimming plans back up for debate

webteam — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:46:25 GMT

"Councillors are to hold a more detailed consultation over plans to refurbish or replace a swimming pool in Shrewsbury.

Several options are being considered for the Quarry Swimming Centre including building a new facility on the existing site or moving facilities.

Councillor Charles Armstrong said he felt that some of the details of the plans were not made clear enough.

'When we spoke about refurbishment, people thought that we were just simply going to keep what we'd already got now and put a lick of paint on it, which is not the truth."

(Via BBC NEWS | England | Shropshire | Swimming plans back up for debate: .)

Surgery joins campaign to save pool in Wales

webteam — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:19:18 GMT

"THE health of future generations could be put in jeopardy if a well-used leisure centre is closed to make way for a new school, GPs have said.
Doctors in one of the most unhealthiest areas of Wales have condemned plans to remove a leisure centre from the town.
The eight GPs who practise in Blaenavon said the community already has some of Wales’ highest rates of health problems associated with lack of exercise.
And they fear that if the swimming pool is axed, children could instead decide to swim in one of the potentially dangerous mountainside ponds in the area, especially in summer.
Dr Gareth Buffett, senior partner at the Carreg Wen surgery, said, ‘Most Blaenavon children have learned to swim in our local pool. The prospect of the next generation not developing this skill is a big worry, especially given the large number of unprotected ponds in the local mountains. It can only be a matter of time before there are drownings if children fail to learn this vital skill. What price is a life?’"

(Via ICWales icWales - Surgery joins campaign to save pool: .)

Pledge to make Liverpool children swim - 18 September

webteam — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:24:11 GMT

"LEISURE bosses today pledged to have 90% of youngsters swimming to minimum standards by next summer.

Intensive training sessions are being arranged for December to make sure the vast majority of children can swim one 25m length of a pool before they leave primary school.

Yesterday, the ECHO revealed how 50% of 10 and 11-year-olds recently failed to meet the standard, way behind the national average.

Officials blame the general decline in physical activity and the high cost to schools of transporting pupils to their nearest pool for the shocking statistic.

But they said a 10-day summer programme for weaker swimmers, attended by 1,300 youngsters and headed by former Olympic medallist Stephen Parry, had shifted the figure up to 74%. [LINK]"

(Via Pledge to make children swim - Health & Fitness - Liverpool Life - Liverpool Echo.co.uk 18 September: .)

50% not able to swim: Liverpool 17 September

webteam — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:14:23 GMT

This is actually quite a high figure. We have statistics for London Boroughs where the figure is at 90%. Why is it that in swimming, as in schools, some Council's have to lose control of a thing and let it reach rock-bottom for it to receive the attention it deserves and the law requires. They then trumpet any improvement, delivered by other agencies, as if their years of neglect were a cunning ruse to effect improvement. In the process they deliver a business opportunity to the private sector over the very heads of the local groups that have been demanding that people do their jobs.

"News that 50% of Liverpool's children are not able to swim 25metres by the time they reach secondary school age has catapulted swimming up the political"

(Via poolingresources at Yahoo! Groups 50% not able to swim: Liverpool Echo, 17 September: .)

"Fewer children are learning to swim in Swansea as council save £23,000"

webteam — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 23:39:41 GMT

Who is at the front of the line, for what in Swansea?

"Fewer children are learning to swim because Swansea Council has caused lesson costs to rise beyond their means, it has been claimed.

One swimming club has said it has been forced to increase fees by 50 per cent. Organisers have said that is too much for many parents on limited incomes."

"With that in mind full council at its budget meeting earlier this year reluctantly took the decision to discontinue the discretionary grant so that the resources could be directed to frontline services.

"While this means that in future the swimming club will have to pay for the use of the pool, it's anticipated that the charges will represent good value for money for the clubs as well as council taxpayers.

(Via Swansea Evening Post Fewer children are learning to swim in Swansea: .)

Front-line services 'unaffected' by higher salaries though

"The number of top bosses at Swansea Council on £60,000plus salaries has shot up over the last five years. Back in 2002, there were just 12 staff earning that much. But by this year that figure had almost tripled - with two bosses getting more than £90,000."

"Last year, the authority advertised for a new chief executive, offering £150,000-a-year for the role."

(Via Swansea Evening Post WAGE HIKE FOR SWANSEA COUNCIL BOSSES: .)

Clubs face axe as Sherwood closes

webteam — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 04:10:49 GMT

Prediction: Matlock Mercury will have more obesity articles and stories of youths hanging around outside the Londis in a few years time ... and all the adults going to the Matlock and district David Lloyd or wherever will tut-tut that young people don't do anything anymore, "ooh we'd ride our chuffin' bikes for hours..."

"The Matlock Mercury covers the 'cost' of the imminent Sherwood Hall closure as a whole range of clubs find there is 'no room at the inn' for them in Matlock"

(Via poolingresources at Yahoo! Groups Clubs face axe as Sherwood closes: .)

Historic North Pole Swim

webteam — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 02:59:37 GMT

" British adventurer Lewis Gordon Pugh says it's a tragedy that global warming enabled him to swim at the Geographic North Pole

As an environmental campaigner, Pugh, a 37-year old British lawyer and endurance swimmer, wanted to highlight the impact of climate change in the high Arctic. On July 15, he jumped into freezing waters at the Geographic North Pole and swam one kilometre in 18 minutes and 50 seconds. The temperature of 28.7 F(-1.8C) reportedly is the coldest water that a human has managed to swim in and survive. Pugh has earned the name 'Polar Bear' because of his ability to raise his body temperature.

Pugh swam in what is essentially an ice crack, a patch of open sea at the top of the world. Open water is becoming more common during the summer months. Many scientists believe that by 2040, the Arctic could be entirely ice-free during summer. According to the World Wildlife Fund, Arctic air temperatures may rise as much as 12 degrees C in the next 100 years. Pugh's swim was captured by a documentary crew."

(Via Latest News Historic North Pole Swim: .)

Swimmers cross to France and back

webteam — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:47:58 GMT

"A team of swimmers based in Surrey is taking part in a two-way Channel crossing in aid of a cancer charity."

(Via BBC NEWS | England | Swimmers cross to France and back: .)

Sweetenham’s Decision Attacked by British Great Davies

webteam — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:00:25 GMT

Sharron Davies, a 1980 Olympic Silver Medallist and commentator for the BBC, has lashed out on the recent decision by Bill Sweetenham to step down as the Performance Director a year out from the Olympics. Davies, often a critic of Sweetenham’s called his actions those of a ‘coward.’ (more…)

(Via Timed Finals Sweetenham’s Decision Attacked by British Great Davies: .)

Music fans swim to island event

webteam — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:45:13 GMT

"A group of festival goers has rejected the conventional route to the Isle of Wight for a swim across the Solent"

(Via BBC NEWS | England | Hampshire | Music fans swim to island event: .)

60-year-old swimmer breaks record

webteam — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:44:57 GMT

"A 60-year-old Dorset woman has become the oldest woman in the world to swim across the English Channel after completing the feat in about 15 hours."

(Via BBC NEWS | England | Dorset | 60-year-old swimmer breaks record: .)

School pool gets interim reprieve

webteam — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 05:12:09 GMT

"Campaigners fighting to keep a swimming pool in Derby open have won an interim injunction stopping its demolition.

Derby City Council said the Gayton school pool at Littleover was a health and safety risk."

(Via BBC NEWS | England | Derbyshire | School pool gets interim reprieve: .)

Swimming Pool Set To Reopen (from York Press)

webteam — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 05:07:53 GMT

"PUPILS and residents alike are set to make a splash in one Selby school's pool from Monday after a £120,000 refurbishment."

(Via Swimming Pool Set To Reopen (from York Press): .)

Maintenance work gets started at Burnham-On-Sea swimming pool

webteam — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 05:03:52 GMT

"Work to replace underwater tiling at Burnham-On-Sea swimming pool will get underway on Sunday (September 9th) but with only minimal impact to those who use the pool."

(Via Maintenance work gets started at Burnham-On-Sea swimming pool: .)

All Dorset children to swim before they are 12

webteam — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 01:03:37 GMT

Ok 12 is a bit late but hey at least there is an aspiration here and a tangible and measurable goal.

"
All Dorset school children will be taught to swim before they are 12, if they haven't already learned to do so.

The teaching will be managed by the county's four sports colleges and overseen by Olympic swimming coach and Queen Elizabeth's head of sport Tony Watson.

It will be trialled for nine and ten-year-olds next year by schools in the Wimborne sports network, including middle schools in Cranborne, Verwood, West Moors and Ferndown.
"

(Via Latest News All Dorset children to swim before they are 12: .)

£10m leisure site gets green light

webteam — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 22:23:16 GMT

"A £10m mixed-use leisure development called Rockingham Park Leisure will be developed on the northern outskirts of Corby, Northamptonshire, following council approval."

(Via Leisure Opportunities News £10m leisure site gets green light: .)

Sponsor a Tile Appeal (Tadcaster)

webteam — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:20:05 GMT

"Tadcaster Community Swimming Pool Trust invite you to sponsor a tile! £100,000 is needed for the repair work, but manager Glen Johnson says the response so far has been encouraging. The work itself will take six to ten weeks, so Tadcaster will be looking at a Sept/Oct opening. "

(Via poolingresources at Yahoo! Groups AND ...Sponsor a Tile Appeal (Tadcaster): .)

Concern as swimming pool closes

webteam — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:24:25 GMT

"SCORES of primary school pupils will lose out on vital swimming lessons because a specialist sports college in Northampton is losing its pool under the PFI rebuilding programme.
Education chiefs at Northamptonshire County Council have confirmed the 25-metre pool at Kingsthorpe Community College (KCC) which is used by primary school children and community groups in the town will shut down this summer because it is beyond economical repair."

(Via Northampton Chronicle and Echo - News - Concern as swimming pool closes: .)

Swimmers take a last dip at pool

"A WELLINGBOROUGH pool has closed its doors after 37 years of happy swimming.

The Croyland Road swimming pool closed last week in advance of the opening of the town’s new £8m pool and leisure complex later this month.

The pool was officially closed by deputy mayor and mayoress Tim and Barbara Allebone on Friday night."

(Via Northampton Chronicle and Echo - NEWS - Swimmers take a last dip at pool: .)

1 in 3 pupils can't swim

"A THIRD of children who leave Northampton primary schools are unable to swim a safe distance, according to local authority figures.

Records collected at County Hall showed 32 per cent of 10 and 11-year-olds in Northampton were not able to swim 25 metres by the time they left primary school in summer 2006.

The figures put Northampton children behind their peers in Corby, Wellingborough and Kettering."

(Via Northampton Chronicle and Echo - News - 1 in 3 pupils can't swim: .)

Swansea centre on target for re-opening

webteam — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 09:07:59 GMT

"On budget and on schedule - that's the message from project leaders behind the £32million refurbishment of Swansea Leisure Centre.

Swansea Council says the exciting scheme is on target to be finished by the end of 2007 and will be available for public use early next year.

Main contractors Laing O'Rourke have now started tiling work at the changing village area of the building and will shortly be installing glass around the top floor of the health and fitness suite.

This upper level of the state-of-the-art gymnasium can be seen rising above the leisure centre roof and will offer sweeping views of Swansea Bay and Mumbles so fitness fans can enjoy stunning scenery while working out."

(Via £32m refurbishment of Swansea Leisure Centre | 24dash.com - Local Government: .)

Swimmers demand pool improvements

webteam — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:10:24 GMT

"DISMAYED young swimmers today issued Birmingham's leisure boss with an urgent SOS - sort out our swimming pools.

Young members of Boldmere Swimming Club spoke out after the Birmingham Mail yesterday revealed the £90 million cash crisis facing three pools in the city.

Coun Ray Hassall, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said he "nearly fell over" when he discovered the estimated cost of replacing Moseley Road, Harborne and Wyndley baths.

And he made the startling admission that he had no idea where the money could come from."

(Via icBirmingham - Swimmers demand pool improvements: .)

Mass swim in leisure centre demo

webteam — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 07:49:54 GMT

Direct action!

A reader has reminded us that when things like this happen councillors, planners and other interested parties are often quick to adopt what they call a "pragmatic stance". They fail to remind anyone that they have all done absolutely nothing to prepare for the day that a facility needs replacement, repair or extra investment.

Nothing lasts for ever, a stitch in time, prepare for a rainy day.

Haggerston Pool in London was closed for want of a not dissimilar sum in 2000 and now the projected cost of a reopening is the region of many millions.

"Hundreds of children hoping to save a storm-damaged leisure centre will travel to a nearby pool to show their own one is vital.

Around 500 children from Blaenavon, Torfaen, are due to go to nearby Pontypool to attempt a mass swim.
Organisers say it will show that the facilities at Pontypool will not cope with the extra demand."

(Via BBC NEWS | Wales | South East Wales | Mass swim in leisure centre demo: .)

Save Our Centre

Sport and Leisure added onto Skills Academy network

webteam — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:00:48 GMT

"Skills Minister Phil Hope today announced that sport and active leisure are among the next four sectors that have successfully bid to be part of the expanding National Skills Academy network."

(Via Leisure Opportunities News Sport and Leisure added onto Skills Academy network: .)

Sticky Problem For Tadcaster Swimming Pool (from York Press)

webteam — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 19:40:34 GMT

"A SWIMMING pool which had to shut down after hundreds of tiles came loose could reopen within six weeks.

Experts have ruled out structural failure as the cause of the problems at Tadcaster Swimming Pool, manager Glen Johnson said today.

They are now concentrating their investigations on the adhesive used to stick the tiles on to the base of the tank when the baths were built in the 1990s."

(Via Sticky Problem For Tadcaster Swimming Pool (from York Press): .)

Swimming club using three pools, and being priced out of training

webteam — Fri, 25 May 2007 07:22:29 GMT

Can this be true?

"A 100-year-old swimming club in the Black Country has been told it cannot use its local baths to train because they are full up.

The Warley Wasps are having to train at three different pools across the West Midlands as Smethwick Baths said it cannot fit them in.

Christa Norgrove, the club's secretary, said she cannot understand why there is a problem.

Their current training arrangement is too expensive, she added."

(Via BBC NEWS | England | West Midlands | Swimming club using three pools: .)

No pool, but how about a huge water tank?

webteam — Tue, 15 May 2007 03:57:53 GMT

"Birmingham is considering hiring a huge tank, filling it with water and placing it at the NIA as a mock 50-metre swimming pool in an attempt to lure the Chinese squad for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The bizarre city council proposal emerged yesterday after it was confirmed that attempts to build an Olympic-size pool in time for the London Games have proved inconclusive.

Although council officials are considering four possible sites for the £50 million-plus project, progress is slow, no funding has been approved and fears are growing that the new pool will not be available in time to boost Birmingham's credentials as an Olympics training camp site."

(Via icBirmingham - No pool, but how about a huge water tank?: .)

Gotcha (Save Seaton Pool)

webteam — Tue, 08 May 2007 22:04:26 GMT

"We believe that the extremely bad showing of the Labour Party in the Plymouth area is due to a large extent to “their” grossly flawed decision to close Seaton Pool. Long may they their treachery be remembered and punished annually by the voters of Plymouth. We look forward to what the new council can do for swimmming and public swimming pools in Plymouth. We also look forward to next year's elections when more of those who agreed with, or acquiesced in the closure of Seaton will hopefully be thrown out of office. "

(Via Save Seaton Pool website Save Seaton Pool: .)

Please use your vote on May 3rd

webteam — Wed, 02 May 2007 17:11:13 GMT

We suppose that this inducement may hold good in many wards.

"
The local elections on Thursday May 3rd give an opportunity to kick out the Labour councillors responsible for closing Seaton Pool. Many wards are expected to be very closely fought, and a single vote could make all the difference in some areas of Plymouth.

We believe that a power change within the Council would give the best chance of replacing Seaton Pool quickly. Please note that this website is not associated with any political party. We just want a Council that will rapidly improve swimming facilities in Plymouth. To read our thoughts about the local elections and the candidates please click here.
"

(Via Save Seaton Pool Please use your vote on May 3rd: .)

Eight year old Launches £20k Swimming Revamp Appeal (from York Press)

webteam — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:39:16 GMT

"ONE pound from an eight-year-old's pocket money has started the ball rolling towards the £20,000 needed to repair a school pool.
The facility at York's Carr Junior School, in Acomb, faces closure if a vital £20,000 overhaul is not carried out soon.
Nearly 40 years ago, the parents and friends of the school raised the money to build a swimming pool at the school and since that time about 12,000 youngsters have learned to swim there."

(Via Eight year old Launches £20k Swimming Revamp Appeal (from York Press): .)

Grassroots participation is the loser as Sport England props up Games

webteam — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 21:12:30 GMT

""It is like someone has taken my running shoes away from me at the start of the race," says Derek Mapp, who as the chairman of Sport England is charged with the target of getting two million more people active before the London 2012 Olympics. "It is like I have to do it barefoot."

The Games were supposed to be a catalyst for grassroots and community sport, lifting an idle nation off the couch, and Lord Coe's rallying cry to the International Olympic Committee in Singapore that London would create a sporting legacy of
participation for a new generation is credited with securing victory for the capital.
But last week Tessa Jowell, the culture secretary, finally announced the true cost of the Olympics - and alongside the headline-grabbing £9.3bn bill, there in the small print was the cost to the National Lottery distributors, an additional £675m diverted away from their coffers.

Sport England's lottery income will be slashed by a further £55.9m in 2009, bringing its contribution to the massive project getting under way in Stratford to £395m. Its total annual income is about 265m."

(Via Andrew Culf: Grassroots participation is the loser as Sport England props up Games | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited Sport: .)