At the moment there are several groups of people who access the pool regularly at this time, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am-11am; pensioners, pregnant mothers, mothers and toddlers and shift workers who are all disappointed to hear that after the summer holidays they will no longer be able to utilise the pool at this time. This is a major setback for some of those who have been using the pool daily at this time since it opened.

The Highland Council have decided to use this time for school children, however, as far as we are aware, they have not increased the public swimming time nor have they notified nor sought any views from the public users on how this will affect them.

Please note that we are delighted to see the pool being so well used and especially pleased that children of all ages are being taught to swim – however it is at a cost to others.

Some of the users need to swim in order to keep fit or for rehabilitation, due to hip or back problems, or those who have had a stroke. Others use it as a social and recreational outlet and it is part of their daily routine. Some of the users are carers and can only swim at that time due to their dependant spouse/family member going to day care or a carer being available at this time only throughout the day. Some parents manage a swim while their children are at playgroup or indeed utilise this time to focus on a younger child. There are workers who use this session either before or after finishing their shift.

There seems to be no regard for swimmers at other times of the day either, if all of the 10am-11am swimmers start to use an afternoon session or evening session what about the effect on others who have their own routines and reasons for choosing to swim later. As there are many clubs that utilise the pool there is limited public swimming as it is on weekdays and weekends. It is excellent to see the pool being so well used, especially after many years of public fundraising efforts by many of the users. But it is some of these people who fought long and hard for a public swimming pool who may be excluded from using it by the changes being implemented by the Highland Council.

Please also be aware that some of our users being affected are not able to use the gym or splash-dance facility at the pool due to health or mobility reasons.

We wonder if the fact that the people using the pool at this time may be entitled to subsidised rates has influenced the decision for the change. But what about those who pay full price or even have a Highlife card? They are being restricted in their choice and availability of times and facilities at the pool.

We have drawn up a petition which we will be encouraging local people to sign to show their support and also to highlight to the council that we have fought long and hard for a public pool – and will continue to do so. The swimming pool is a facility for public use, not for domination by the education authority.

Renee Scott, 1 Roseberry Terrace, 74 Henrietta Street, Wick

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