Pool plea to provost

Jan 1 2010 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A PLEA has gone to Provost Winnie Sloan to convene a special meeting of South Ayrshire Council.

People behind a bid to have a £1½ million revamp of Girvan Swimming Pool believe it is vital that all 30 councillors see their plans.

No-one from the council turned up at a public meeting in Girvan, attended by 500 people, when impressive plans were presented.

It is understood that a number of councillors were that night attending the pantomime in Ayr’s Citadel sports hall.

But now the directors of Girvan Community Swimming Pool Ltd have written to Provost Sloan asking for a special meeting.

The directors believe the work they have done to date could lead to the re-opening of the swimming pool in 2010.

And they have met party leaders Councillor Hugh Hunter (Conservative), Councillor Nan McFarlane (SNP) and Councillor John McDowall (Labour), as well as Independent Councillor Brian Connolly.

But one of the directors, Iain Brown, said this week: “I am convinced we are still not being treated seriously.

“The council feels our proposals still need more substance and greater clarification. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“We have worked hard for some months to present an honest and balanced case, and if some of our council officials or their representatives had taken the time to come and see the presentation by the team of professionals they would surely have been as convinced, as we are, that the project is do-able.”

Mr Brown added: “I am told that some of our councillors were attending a pantomime in Ayr the same night as the public meeting. Surely the South Parish Church is where they should have been.”

The council position is that they are still scrutinising the proposals, and a report will be in front of councillors on January 26.

Councillor Hunter told the Post last week: “It would be improper at this stage for councillors to express views on the merits of any proposal, given that this has not been considered by the council and is still under consideration and evaluation by a range of council officers."

But Mr Brown insisted: “It is important that as many of South Ayrshire Councillors have the opportunity to hear the details of the bid so they can be in no doubt about what the private sector is offering to do for the community.”

Many fear that the only alternative the council can offer is further consultation and delay.

Mr Brown said: ”The time for engaging with more expensive consultants has gone. It is time for the council to get serious and realise what a great chance they have to do something to help Girvan and surrounding communities.”

Mr Brown also said he had written to Roddy McDonald, the council’s director of communities, asking if he would arrange a meeting of the council officers who are looking into the various options they have for the town.

Girvan Swimming Pool Ltd already has a pledge of £250,000 from Lendal Environmental Trust, the local landfill community fund.

And the group believes it can attract major lottery and other funding.