Swimming pool was not condemned

Feb 13 2009

THE SUDDEN closure of Girvan Swimming Pool is shocking news. The council give health and safety reasons for closing it. They claim the pool is in poor condition, but no details are given. There is no report of a proper survey and therefore no quotations for any repairs or replacements found to be necessary.

This is not surprising, since the council want to close the pool and demolish both it and the beach pavilion.

This would clear the way for private property developers to move in. For years the swimming pool has blocked council’s private-based plans for the harbour area.

But the real trouble that scuppered Girvan people was the unholy alliance of the Tory Party (11 votes) and the SNP (7 votes). The vote for pool closure was 21 votes to 7.

With regard to the SNP, the following saying, first used by both Chaucer and Shakespeare, springs to mind. “He who sups with the devil should use a long spoon.”

No wonder the arbitrary decision to immediately close the swimming pool, without warning or consultation, was made behind closed doors.

The ripping out of the pool’s innards was done to ensure that no reversal of the closure was possible.

These latest anti-social actions make the South Ayrshire Councillors look like a devious, conniving parcel of rogues.

It is especially sad that councillors from all the political parties contributed to the demise of Girvan’s Swimming Pool. It makes people feel helpless and hopeless in the face of council power.

Where can the residents of Girvan and surrounding villages turn to for fair, just treatment?

Ian Fitzsimmons (Tory) and Alex Oattes (SNP), representing Girvan, both abstained from voting, probably as a gesture to save their votes at the next election.

And finally, the Environmental Health Division, who enforce the Health and Safety Act, DID NOT condemn the Girvan Swimming Pool and order its closure.

Dick and Isa Lee

Henrietta Street

Girvan.