4:00pm Friday 27th January 2012
EARLY morning swimmers have slammed plans to cut pool time at Kendal’s leisure centre by two sessions a week.
They argue that the move goes against a Government drive to encourage particip-ation in sport during the Olympics year.
But bosses at Lakes Leisure say they are being forced to reduce pool and gym times because of £438,000 axed funding by South Lakeland District Council and Cumbria County Council.
From April, swimming and gym facilities will no longer open before working hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Lunchtime public swim sessions will also be reduced.
Twelve members of staff from the charity’s 72-strong workforce are also to lose their jobs.
Karen Lloyd, one of many swimmers who enjoy a dawn dip, has written a protest letter to Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron, and hopes others will sign it at the Kendal centre.
Ms Lloyd said: “Every morning the pool is extremely busy. If two sessions per week are cut, it will make the remaining sessions even busier. This will have a negat- ive effect on people’s fitness.
“We understand SLDC has a significant budget for celeb- rating the Olympics. It is closing sessions that improve fitness at the same time as spending money celebrating the Olympics.”
Tanya Bascombe, of Burn-eside, said: “Cutting opening hours would be a blow for people like me who have small children and can’t go whenever they like. I came to Kendal now the pool at Trout-beck Bridge has closed.”
Heron Hill runner and regular swimmer Lindsay Harrod, of Kendal, said: “We’re all meant to be getting fitter and this is one of the most accessible sports.”
Chief executive of Lakes Leisure Dave Ronald said: “Sadly we have to take these measures now to protect services like public swimming and community outreach.”
A statement from directors said: “With regret, we have to reduce the number of early morning public swim sessions at Lakes Leisure Kendal from five to three in the week, and by one hour on a Sunday.
“Following an analysis of customer visits, Kendal’s FitZone gym will open at 8am, rather than 7am, on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, and will close at 9pm on a Friday, and 5pm on a Saturday, rather than 10pm. Other swim and gym sess-ions have been maintained as far as possible, but days and times may have altered.”
Mr Farron has called for Lakes Leisure directors to look again at their business model. “They should be able to provide a service that pays for itself,” he said.
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