Leisure centre can make a splash in diving world, say campaigners
AYR’S new leisure centre could still be a flagship for Olympic diving in Scotland, according to the head of Scottish Swimming.
Euan Lowe, the chief executive of the body that oversees swimming nationally, has made it clear that the fight for Ayr’s diving club and the future of the sport in Scotland is still on.
Mr Lowe made a heartfelt plea to include a replacement for the Citadel’s diving board – the only such facility in the west of Scotland – claiming it could be part of the solution – during the pandemic recovery.
He said: “South Ayrshire Council contacted Scottish Swimming during the early stages of developing their plans for the new leisure centre in Ayr to replace the Citadel.
“As we know, the leisure industry plays a pivotal role in supporting the health of the nation and never more so than during and after this pandemic.
“While we welcome the plans to construct a modern, fit-for-purpose replacement leisure centre, as the governing body for aquatics in
Scotland we have written to SAC as part of their consultation expressing concerns that the plans did not include any replacement for the diving facilities at the Citadel.
“This would mean there would be no diving facilities in the west of Scotland.
“The new centre presents an opportunity to become a flagship for this growing Olympic sport which has gained popularity in recent years thanks to the development of grassroots diving programmes in other parts of the country and a strong performance pathway within
Scotland.”
He pointed to the success of 2020 Olympians Grace Reid and James Heatly. He added: “To this extent, Scottish Swimming has asked the council to give their plans further consideration given the success of recent diving programmes in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. We do recognise that as a result of the last 18 months the financial landscape is challenging,” adding that the “flexibility of a good sized, deep pool that can add value to the community, clubs and sustainability to a facility” was also important and to be part of the solution as we help people to recover their physical and mental health as part of the pandemic recovery, while having fun and enjoyment at their local pool”.
He said: “Diving can be part of the solution.”
Meanwhile, a supervised swimming area could be created on Loch Lomond at Balloch Park after four people drowned this summer.
Members of West Dunbartonshire Council have agreed to adopt a water
The new centre presents an opportunity to become a flagship for this growing Olympic sport which has gained popularity in recent years
safety policy for the constituency and an initial proposal on the possibility of creating a lido at the country park as a safer space for open air swimming will now be investigated.
It comes after seven people drowned in Scotland in the space of a week during the month of July.
Three of the deaths took place at Pulpit Rock in Loch Lomond. Edina Olahova, 29, her son Rana Haris Ali, nine, and friend Asim Raza 41 all lost their lives to the water.
And on July 23, 16-year-old Connor Markward lost his life while playing with his friends at a section of the loch in Balloch Park.
A motion was brought before full council by Conservative councillor Sally Page who called on the local authority to introduce a “robust” water safety assessment procedure.
Councillor Page said: “There are approximately 30 deaths a year due to drowning in Scotland. During the warm summer weather there is an obvious desire for people to swim and a dedicated policy for swimming in the loch would give many benefits while increasing safety levels.
“There is strong local support especially from the West Dunbartonshire amateur swimming club who are 100 per cent behind this idea and have offered to help with lessons to give people the opportunity to join this growing popular sport.”
Members agreed that council leader Jonathan Mccoll should write to neighbouring local authorities and members of the Glasgow City Region to ensure they take every opportunity to educate on the dangers of open water swimming.”