The future of Park Pool and Nye Bevan Pool is still in doubt
The future of Ormskirk and Skelmersdale swimming pools, as well as funding for council-owned leisure centres, was brought into focus by West Lancashire MP Ashley Dalton at Westminster. This comes as a public consultation by West Lancashire Council regarding the potential early closure of these pools in an effort to save money and consider new plans for future facilities concludes this week.
Last month, West Lancashire councillors narrowly voted in favour of public consultation about the Park and Nye Bevan pools and to explore other design options for potential future facilities. Rising construction costs and council funding pressures were key factors, councillors heard.
However, some councillors wanted to delay the consultation until the winter when more financial information might be available from the new government. Protesters also lobbied the council to keep the two pools open until replacements are built.
Speaking at Westminster this week (Tuesday), Ashley Dalton said less-wealthy people will ‘pay the price’ if publicly-owned pools and leisure services are closed, leaving only privately run facilities which charge higher fees.
The Labour MP has put the spotlight on West Lancashire Council’s current struggles, following their decision to ditch elaborate plans for brand new leisure centres in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale, opting to look into less costly alternatives instead. Additionally, the authority is contemplating the early closure of the existing Park Pool and Nye Bevan Pool before their replacements are even up and running, reports Lancs Live.
In discussions regarding West Lancashire with government minister Stephanie Peacock MP, Ms Dalton stressed the significance of swimming for all ages and the broader influence of physical exercise on public health and the NHS. She underscored its vital role for children and schools.
She said: “Local government funding is being looked at by this government, and I look forward to seeing the details. The school council at Crawford Village Primary School near Skelmersdale wrote to me last week. They are desperate for local pools to stay open.”
“The only alternative to council-run pools are more costly privately owned pools. In Skelmersdale, the nearest alternative to the Nye Bevan Pool is a Bannatyne health club. Subscriptions there start from £42.99. For a family of five, that’s over £200. The council charges £15.99 and that gives access to three sites in West Lancashire. You can pay to swim for a day for £4.70 at a council pool. At Bannatyne, a day pass is £25.”
“A great deal of people will not be able to afford prices like that. We know that when leisure centres become less accessible, it’s people on lower incomes who pay the price, literally. People in higher income areas have a better chance of swimming and going to a school which can foot the bill for lessons.”
She added: “West Lancashire Council wants people to have access to swimming and to be more active and social. But its hands are tied. We need new arrangements so councils can unlock funds and give communities access to the swimming and leisure facilities they need.”
Stephanie Peacock said she would convey the concerns to government departments.
