swimmers voice fury as pool timetables change

SWIMMERS have voiced their anger at changes to pool times at leisure centres in Cardiff.

Private company Better, which took over the running of eight city leisure centres nearly three years ago, made timetable changes to all pools in Cardiff this week.

Bosses say it was following a review and they have made the changes to increase hours in the evenings and to “accommodate more sessions aimed at individual swimmers”.

But some swimmers are disappointed with the move, which they say leaves them with fewer chances to go swimming.

Pensioner Alan Williams, who regularly uses Llanishen Leisure Centre in the mornings, said it makes it more difficult for him and friends to use the pool.

The 86-year-old said: “A group of us use the pool most days, but don’t go until after 9.30am to avoid the rush hour.

“The new changes mean that we can only really go swimming between 6.30am and 9am, which is not suitable.

“The changes are affecting a lot of different people, and making it harder for people to use when they should be encouraged to exercise.

“There was no consultation, and I only found out about the changes when I picked up a sheet of paper from the reception that had the new timetable on it.”

One mum, who did not wish to be named, said she was angry that it was impossible for parents to swim while their children are having lessons.

She said: “I’ve just discovered that Llanishen Leisure Centre have drastically cut the number of hours when the pool is available to the public. They have also made it impossible for parents to swim during their children’s lessons, among other things.

“I asked them if this was a moneysaving exercise and they said no, so I cannot see the logic of it. The swimming-pool is a community resource, which is crucial to health and wellbeing, and we should all have access to it.

“It’s often overcrowded as it is, and cutting down the hours can only make things worse.”

The centres affected are: Llanishen Leisure Centre; Eastern Leisure Centre; Fairwater Leisure Centre; Western Leisure Centre; Pentwyn Leisure Centre; Maindy Leisure centre; and Star Centre, Splott.

A spokesman for Better Cardiff said: “As a community social enterprise we are committed to opening up our pool facilities to as many groups and individuals as possible.

“To enable us to offer a full range of swimming classes and activities we have to adjust our pool timetables from time to time. We introduced a new pool timetable at the beginning of this month across the city which sees more opportunities for young people to learn to swim and designated sessions for schools, disabled groups and social groupings.

“We have also taken a holistic view of the timetables at each Better centre pool which means we can now offer swimming for individuals at one or more of our pools at most hours of the day.

“For example, Llanishen has extended its opening hours in the evening to 9.30pm, while Maindy pool is now available for individual swims between 9am and noon.

“We recognise and appreciate that the new opening times won’t suit everyone and we will listen to feedback as the timetable evolves.

“Creating more opportunities to swim is crucial in delivering our commitment to getting more people of all ages and abilities physically active.”

■ Pool timetables can be found on the websites for each centre at www. better.org