Pool closure headache for swimming club
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THURSO Amateur Swimming Club is facing a problem after the town’s pool was shut down on Monday for major refurbishment.
The pool is not scheduled to reopen until the start of October as part of a £2.7 million revamp of the leisure complex at Millbank.
The pool closure has coincided with a fall in numbers at the swimming club with a number of swimmers deciding not to renew their membership while their home pool is out of commission.
Club president Shirley Bain says arrangements have been put in place for squad swimmers to get sessions at the pool in Wick. But she conceded that the closure in Thurso had already affected the club.
She said: “Thurso has been the largest club in the north district area, but obviously the effect of the closure means there are people who are not renewing their membership.
“We have been working with High Life Highland (HLH) to get hours for the swimmers in Wick while the pool in Thurso is out of action. We will be using the Wick pool for morning and evening sessions and we’re also arranging a land training programme.”
Mrs Bain adds: “This will result in a reduction of pool hours for the swimmers but we’re working closely with HLH to get as much pool time as we can at Wick. It was unforeseen that theThurso pool would be closed for so long. Obviously that is challenging but we’ve tried to keep to a timetable as close to what the swimmers are doing just now.”
Mrs Bain said the club was looking at transport options for swimmers to travel between Thurso and Wick by encouraging people to car-share.
O’Brien Construction has started work on upgrading the Thurso pool and is also building a new dance studio and fitness suite. The complex will remain open for gym users.
