Board Calls on MHKs to Save Pool

The Board of the Southern Swimming Pool has called on southern MHKs to support the pool and ensure it remains open.

DESC chiefs have told the board that they will seek Tynwald approval to close the pool, but that will be a matter for Tynwald.

In a statement, the board confirmed that the DESC recommendation is for the pool to close on March 31 and that the DESC will seek approval from Tynwald in February.

However, the board wants the southern MHKs, Dr Michelle Haywood, Juan Watterson SHK, Jason Moorhouse and Tim Glover to rallying round and fight the closure and repeated calls for a replacement pool to be added to the new Castle Rushen High School.

The statement said: ‘DESC has stated that the decision has been made purely on financial grounds.

‘The Board hopes that the Southern MHKs will support the pool to ensure that it remains open and that a replacement pool is included in the CRHS plans. The Board also suggests that an emergency meeting of all the southern local authorities be held to agree action to ensure that a community pool remains open in the south.

‘The Board would also welcome public support to retain a local pool so that all community members can swim without a lengthy commute.’

MHKs

Mr Glover has responded to the news on Twitter (X) saying it was ‘utterly shambolic’ and ‘shows complete lack of vision & meaning from this current administration’.

Utterly shambolic of @IOMGovernment to even be thinking of this – shows complete lack of vision & meaning from this current administration @iomdesc #CoMin https://t.co/IJErmzjPj3

— Tim Glover (@timgloverash) January 11, 2024

Mr Moorhouse added that the news ‘is going to anger and frustrate a huge number of local people’.

He said: ‘It is an incredibly sad day for the South of the Island – The closure is even more concerning, given the Minister Edges failure to provide any reassurance about the building of a replacement pool just before Christmas.’