One of West Lothian’s oldest swimming clubs has branded the threat to close three local pools as “devastating news”, warning that young lives will be put at risk.
Trojan ASC, which has more than 100 members, has lobbied local councillors as well as a Scottish Government minister in a bid to release funding to save the pools from closure.
The club has echoed a plea from the Labour administration calling on the Scottish Government to release extra funding Holyrood was awarded specifically to keep swimming pools open save pools from closure after a similar action by Westminster to help English councils.
Club Secretary Colin Matthews told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the club was “extremely disappointed” with plan from the struggling West Lothian Leisure trust adding: “Too many of our children still leave school unable to swim and this situation will only get worse without the pools we need for children to learn in.
“By closing pools we are putting lives at risk.”
Mr Matthews said: “West Lothian Xcite has one of the most successful Learn to Swim programmes in the country and won Scottish Water’s Learn to Swim Provider of the year in 2022.
“Having recently celebrated this award with Olympic champion Duncan Scott at Broxburn pool - one of those earmarked for closure, it is devastating to hear that it may have to close.”
West Lothian Council has pledged to continue to support the programme amid the doubts over the future of three pools. However Trojan argues that pool access is vital to all.
Trojan ASC was formed in 1978 and is one of the longest running clubs in West Lothian. It currently has 105 members from age 6 upwards with five separate squads, all providing an opportunity for progression as each individual develops.
The current squad structure covers swimmers with a range of abilities from those that have just learned to swim through to performance level.
Trojan training takes place at Xcite pools in Whitburn & Armadale with the latter one of those earmarked for closure.
Mr Matthews said: “All of these swimmers rely on regular club training to keep them mentally and physically fit and better able to cope with life’s challenges. While we adapted well for the most part during Covid, the closure of Armadale pool could be especially damaging for our members and volunteers, for whom the relatively recent return to club sport has been a lifeline.
“We have a long history of working in partnership with Xcite providing mutual support and benefit for both parties, and whilst not entirely happy over recent years we have accepted the need to provide our own lifeguards, accepted reduce pool time and venue changes during and after the pandemic and accepted above inflation price rises - this year’s increase was a staggering 29%. All of which have had a serious impact on our membership, our funding and ability to operate as a club.”
Mr Matthews said the club accepted there are economic pressures and squeezed budgets but argued that in many deprived areas the pool provided a “ beating heart” to communities.
They are, said the secretary: “bringing people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds together for fitness, fun and friendship and safeguarding the mental and physical health of the local residents. In short, these facilities are crucial for local communities.”
Scottish Swimming has already secured more than 7,000 signatures on a petition in parliament to keep pools open.
Mr Matthews said: “It is imperative that additional funding is provided by the Scottish Government to ensure local services are able to continue. If not, the consequences could be dire.
“Trojan ASC have written to Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Well-being and Sport to address this grave situation which, by all accounts, has been brought about through West Lothian Council’s core capital grant having been reduced significantly by the Scottish Government.”
“In the Spring budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced funding of £63 million to support swimming pools remaining open in England, and we understand some of this funding was to go to the Scottish Government through the Barnett formula but to date, no funding has been provided by the Scottish Government to specifically support swimming pools in Scotland.
“ We have asked Maree Todd for the Scottish Government to release funding to swimming pool operators to support the retention of swimming pools and leisure venues in local communities, such as West Lothian so that we can keep our swimming pools open.
“It is vital for the nation’s health and well-being, the safety of young people learning to swim, and for us - a lifeline for our members and volunteers.”
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