Girvan Swimming Pool to be demolished

Jan 29 2010 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

GIRVAN Swimming Pool is to be demolished.

And council chiefs won’t delay the work.

For while it stands it will remind Girvan people of what might have been.

Councillors on Tuesday voted 21-8 for a demolition that will cost a hefty £270,000.

And in doing so they rejected a community bid to revamp and run the pool.

It would cost the council NOTHING to hand over the keys to the community, Labour group leader Councillor John McDowall pointed out.

And he urged South Ayrshire Council to put Girvan’s destiny back in its own hands.

But the six-strong Labour group amendment was supported by just two other councillors.

Tory Ian Fitzsimmons and the SNP’s Alec Oattes – both Girvan and South Carrick councillors – broke ranks.

Councillor Oattes said: “Girvan has been on a downward spiral, and the pool closure was the final straw.

“I have to support the people I represent. This is not just about a pool, it’s about a community bringing forward a plan.”

But the majority of councillors backed a lengthy motion from council leader Hugh Hunter.

His motion essentially agreed with a report prepared by the council’s corporate management team.

Key points are:

l Demolition and site restoration, estimated a £270,000.

l Up to £250,000 for ‘development work’ on Girvan’s future.

l Detailed proposals for a new ‘multi-faceted facility’, within the year.

The meeting heard top council officials cast doubt on figures produced by community partnership Girvan Swimming Pool Ltd.

The officials don’t accept the pool could be run at half the council’s staff costs. And they don’t believe a new-look pool could double its income.

Councillor McDowall said he respected the officials’ view, and admitted there was no guarantee the partnership would succeed.

But he said: “The partnership has impressive combined expertise, backed by the will of the Girvan people.”

However, in seconding Councillor Hunter, SNP group leader Councillor Nan McFarlane spoke of ‘gaps’ in the community plan. And she insisted: “A refurbished clapped-out 40-year-old swimming pool is not what we want for Girvan.”