Leisure hours cuts are a ‘matter of life or death’, say swimmers

Petition launched as MP prepares to meet with trust bosses

Early morning swimmers say timetable changes at Fife pools are “a matter of life or death”.

Seventy-five swimmers have signed a petition urging Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, which manages local premises on behalf of Fife Council, to reverse its decision to cut 7am opening times on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

They say the 7am to 9am period is the busiest time of the day.

Stephen Gethins, SNP MP for North East Fife, plans to meet representatives of the trust and the council this Friday to discuss the timetable changes, which the trust has blamed on funding cuts.

Swimmer Jonathan Robertson, 76, said: “Our regular swimming exercise is a matter of life or death, or severe illness.

“A few years ago I used to meet a 92-year-old man who started his swim by diving into the shallow end and swimming underwater for one length.

“Everyone poolside held their breath, willing him to reach the other end. He told me it was what kept him alive.”

Mr Robertson said entrance fees could have been put up to avoid the cuts, adding: “All the respondents to our petition indicated they would happily pay more to ensure the continued opening of our swimming pool in the mornings, so why were they not offered that option as part of a normal consultation process?

“Instead, on return from the summer holidays, we were faced with a fait accompli.”

A Fife Sports and Leisure Trust spokeswoman said: “This move is as a consequence of a three-year funding deal which the trust receives from its main partner, Fife Council.

“The trust has seen its management fee decrease from £6 million to £2m.

“It is no longer possible to deliver the existing level of service.”

The trust said user groups would be set up at Cupar Sports Centre and East Sands Leisure Centre in St Andrews, where hours are also being cut, “to allow the community to engage with the options of service provision within the budget constraints”.

Mr Gethins said: “It is not acceptable to make these changes without any public consultation.

“As well as the many sports clubs who have been in touch, I have been contacted by many people who benefit from early morning swims at Cupar.

“For a great majority, it is essential to their physical and mental wellbeing.

“All the respondents to our petition indicated they would happily pay more to ensure the continued opening of our swimming pool in the mornings.

JONATHAN ROBERTSON