Reduced opening hours for MACPool

MACPool bosses have called the reduction of opening hours at the community-run facility in Lochgilphead a “preventative measure” designed at “controlling overheads”.

The community-run enterprise, which features a 20-metre pool, children’s play area and cafe, reopened to the public last summer.

A MACPool spokesperson told the Advertiser: “We are all aware of the precarious economic situation which continues to affect households and businesses across Scotland and the UK.

“MACPool Activity Hub is not immune from the impact of high costs and inflation, both of which are making trading conditions at the pool difficult and presenting real challenges as we work to maintain our valuable service for the community.

“In response to these challenges the MACPool manager and directors have agreed it is necessary to make a reduction to our opening hours, a preventative measure to control overheads.

“We have tried to identify times during the week which historically are the lowest period of customer use, causing least impact on the community and pool users.

“We will be running a holiday timetable next week, and from Monday February 13 the changes will impact much of Monday and we will be closed on Fridays.

“Please visit our website for more information at www. macpool.org.uk

“We would like to reassure everyone that the pool is not at risk of closing. The forthcoming changes are intended to safeguard against any future risk to the pool.

“MACPool Activity Hub is a standalone community enterprise, a charity, and while we receive grant funding from Argyll and Bute Council, this funding only contributes to some of our costs.

“With the demand on council budgets year-on-year, we can only thank it for continuing to support us along with other leisure facilities in the region.

“We have more than 200 children learning to swim, more than 600 customers per week and we are looking at ways in which we can attract more people into swimming.

“We would like to thank every pool user for your understanding in adapting to these changes and we would hope to return to the full operational timetable as soon as we are able.”