OLDER People’s Commissioner for Wales Ruth Marks has waded into the campaign to save Harlech Swimming Pool from closure.
The popular pool, owned by Gwynedd Council, suddenly closed last October because of an electrical fault but reopened three weeks later.
Now Ms Marks has written to the Friends lending her support to keep the pool open which she said was a vital resource for the elderly.
The council said substantial electrical work was needed to solve the problem complicated by the presence of asbestos in the building.
In January this year, the council board decided it should close in April to save £160,000 a year.
A council report said £266,000 was needed to be spent on structural work to the building as well as an extra £136,806 for work to comply with Disability Acts.
Gwynedd has to save £5m – on top of £4m savings already made – by cutting council services and jobs. Council chiefs blamed a funding squeeze from the Welsh Assembly Government.
The closure date has now been extended to the end of March 2009 so the community can come up with alternative plans.
When it closes, locals face a half hour journey to the next nearest pool.
Friends of Harlech Swimming Pool have been campaigning to keep it open and started a fighting fund for a rescue package involving the private sector.
Ms Marks said: “I have already written to Gwynedd Council and they have informed me that a report is to be presented to the council board in the autumn.
“I expect to be kept updated by the council on this important issue. The loss of resources and services to older people must be guarded against and can only be justified if accessible alternatives are put in place.
“With a greater number of our citizens living longer, it is vital that provisions be made to allow a healthier lifestyle.”
Friends spokesman Arthur Coleman said: “Our campaign is gathering momentum.”
Salop Leisure, which owns Min y Don Caravan Park in Harlech, has donated £500 to the cause.
The fight to save the pool was brought to the attention of First Minister Rhodri Morgan by Mid and West Wales Assembly Member Joyce Watson at the Senedd in Cardiff.
Mr Morgan said there was little point the Assembly Government funding free swimming “if there was no pool to swim in.”
A Gwynedd Council spokesman said they had no choice but to make “significant financial savings in line with which each council service must deliver over the coming years.”
He added: “Council officers have met with the Friends of Harlech Swimming Pool on several occasions to discuss this matter, and a further report will be presented to the council board in the coming months.”
Date:Sep 22 2008
Source: Hywel Trewyn, Daily Post
Original Story: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2008/09/22/ruth-marks-backs-fight-to-save-harlcech-swimming-pool-55578-21869035/
