Closing Pool Will Only Save £400k

The DESC says it has no choice but to recommend the closure of the south’s only public swimming pool.

A statement has partially laid the blame at meeting the costs of the north and west regional pools.

A report setting out the future of the island’s three regional pools will be made public on Monday, the department has not said why it can’t release it today.

The report will set out a number of costed options for the Southern, Northern and Western facilities, which are all locally managed by their joint local authority Swimming Pool Board, unlike the NSC pools, which are managed by the DESC.

This distinct lack of ‘fairness’ for swimming facilities on the island has been the cause of much frustration in the other three regions as local authorities in the east do not pay towards the NSC.

The regional pools are funded through local rates that total around £92,000 and an annual £1.75m central gov subvention. The gov said that ‘the majority of which is used to cover operating costs and for the Northern and Western pool buildings, loan repayments.’

In recent years, Treasury has also provided further financial help with increased energy costs.

Budget forecasts for 2024/25 indicate an additional £602k will be required and the DESC said there is ‘no scenario in the report would allow the DESC to increase the subvention to meet this figure, without impacting on other provision within the department’.

The department claims that shutting the southern pool would free up £434k a year ‘and allow it to support the remaining pools within budget’.

Minister Julie Edge said: ‘This is a very difficult situation. There isn’t enough money to maintain the status quo in this extremely challenging financial climate. Whilst I understand the impact on the south of the island, we are fortunate to have alternative facilities across the island that can be accessed.

‘We have and will continue to explore all available options to ensure children and the wider community in the south will still be able to attend lessons, clubs and enjoy swimming with its proven benefits to health and wellbeing, but accept this is not ideal.

‘In February 2023, my Department presented a strategic vision for the Castle Rushen site to Tynwald Members, and we will continue to look to the future implementation of this vision for the people of the south of the island.’

DESC masterplans for a new school have no pool.

Meanwhile, a petition to save the pool has reached over 800 signatures since this morning.

Save Our Pool!