The family of a young West Lothian girl with a rare disability are devastated after their local pool was put at risk of closure.
On Wednesday, cost-saving plans were made public by West Lothian Council that would put three swimming pools in Armadale, Broxburn and Livingston on the chopping block.
The West Lothian Leisure facilities are all are accessible and used frequently by Arabella Green and her family.
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The six-year-old was previously told she would "never walk" after being diagnosed with a rare joint condition, arthrogryposis, which can completely limit movement.
Living in Bathgate, Ella's dad William had refused to accept the news, going on to raise a huge amount of money to take his daughter to Poland for surgery that could give her a new lease on life.
The brave schoolgirl took her first steps last year and is striving to recover while working with doctors both in Scotland and Poland. Hydrotherapy is a huge part of the process and it would be a detrimental loss to the family if their local pool was to close.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, William Green said: "I'm gutted not just for Ella but for many of the kids of West Lothian.
"I just don’t understand how Livingston pool can shut with figures and stats that are plain to see, we try to book it most weekends as it's the only pool in West Lothian with slides and rapid waves for the kids to enjoy.
"Now they are going to take away a generation of health and well-being.
"Our local pool in Broxburn where Ella does her rehabilitation is getting closed, that's the one in our home town. Then to hear Armadale is getting closed has really dented us too."
He continued: "When you look at the bigger picture, all swimming lessons are getting cancelled, OAPs getting there maybe their only routine is taken away from them.
"Now you will have the two only disabled access pools Livingston and Broxburn getting shut down.
"What is actually happening out there is unreal. We are a nation already drowning in poverty the last thing our country needs is swimming getting taken from us all. I’m in shock tonight and worried to break the news to Ella.
"I really hope they reverse this and think about the people affected."
Several petitions and Facebook pages have been launched in a bid to save the three venues and local Jenny Miller is fighting to save Xcite Livingston with her petition.
She told the West Lothian Courier: “The closure of this facility won’t only impact the staff and their families, but the mental well-being of thousands of people.
“We fought tooth and nail to come back after the pandemic, and by golly, I’d say we won - Xcite Livingston numbers are at a record high just now.
“We are one of the few leisure pools left in Scotland where people travel far and wide on a weekly basis to give their kids an exceptionally memorable experience.
"Our water temperature appeals to mothers and young babies - something irreplaceable I say."
She continued: “We have customers from all backgrounds and walks of life, of whom rely on Xcite Livingston on a daily basis.
“For many of our customers, Xcite Livingston is all they have. What will all the pensioners do who need us as a get up and go each day, who come in not only to exercise but to get out to meet people, get a chin wag, and break up their day?
“Not to mention all the hard work that’s recently gone into helping improve our New Gen membership - the work involved here is phenomenal, and can only continue to keep the youth of today off the streets.
“Words cannot describe how the closure of Livingston Xcite will impact our staff, our community and many, many more.”
A council spokesperson said: “The West Lothian Leisure Board has requested the consent of the council to its proposed closure of a number of facilities within its portfolio, in order to balance its budget this financial year and, in turn, sustain its financial and operational future.
“The council will consider this request for consent in due course.”
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Ben Lamb, Chief Executive of West Lothian Leisure said: “While there is no confirmation that these pools will close as yet, I understand how devastating this news is for our community, especially for people like Ella who utilise the facilities regularly.
“Both Whitburn and Bathgate swimming pools are within three miles of Armadale pool, and have the same, if not better, level of facilities for disabled users.
"We are happy to provide Ella and her family with a familiarisation visit to these pools and offer any further support she needs to ensure she can continue her activities at one of these nearby locations.
“None of us wants to be in the position of closing venues, however, cuts to our budget and mounting economic pressures mean we have had no choice but to propose the closure of some facilities to ensure we can continue providing services across the region.”
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