Politics
‘The Residents of The South Have Been Betrayed’
Vice Chairman Beth Cannan issued the statement on behalf of the board before Monday evening’s meeting.
Castletown Town Commissioners says it is dismayed to learn of the gov’s proposal to shut the south’s only public pool.
Vice Chairman Beth Cannan issued the statement on behalf of the board before Monday evening’s meeting.
Mrs Cannan said the proposed closure was ‘yet another body blow to our town and the wider southern community, and we wholeheartedly concur with the comments from Mr Speaker [Juan Watterson] that the residents of the south have been betrayed by this administration’.
She added: ‘It is well-documented that swimming pools serve as spaces for children to acquire swimming skills and water safety, where families strengthen their connections through water-related activities, clubs foster friendships, and individuals of all ages enhance both their physical and mental well-being.
‘We urge the Island’s MHKs to contemplate how they would respond if a similar proposal affected a regional pool within their constituencies. It is essential to ensure that this myopic proposal does not garner support.’
Mrs Cannan said the board believes that the proposal contradicts the Island Plan and to the ‘Net Zero action plan’.
She also confirmed that the board intends to meet with MHKs and that a request has also been received from ratepayers to hold a public meeting on the subject.
The Gov
The DESC has said that it cannot continue to fund the pool without taking funds from other parts of the department.
