Holyhead Swimming Pool Closure

by A Very Concerned Resident
(Trearddur Bay)

The closure threat to Holyhead Swimming Pool by Plaid Cymru-led Anglesey Council saw over 200 people attend a meeting at Holyhead Leisure Centre on Friday evening.

Local councillors and Albert Owen MP were at the meeting to hear views from concerned citizens about Council plans to close a hugely important facility.

As we all know, swimming does so much good in terms of helping people keep fit and helps significantly in reducing the risk of chronic health problems like obesity and heart disease.

The swimming pool and leisure centre also play an important role in the social life of both local families as well as the many visitors to the island, especially during the summer months.

It is for the council to show how exactly their plans to close the pool facility will not threaten the health of the broader public, given the many known advantages of swimming to stave off long term disease and illness.

Why is it that when the Government has shown a lead and rightly invested millions in healthy living policy that Plaid Cymru-led Anglesey Council is intent on doing the opposite and damaging the gains in public health?

The Holyhead councillors present told the audience that they had succeeded in getting the decision of the scrutiny committee to be sent back to the full council, which means 40 members have the chance to vote on the matter.

While it is likely that a majority of councillors will vote to overturn the original closure decision, what is really needed is an official statement by the Anglesey Council Executive of their policy for improving the quality of life on the island.

Specifically, we need to know how they intend to improve healthy living standards, and tackle the range of chronic diseases, by using the policy instruments and powers at their disposal.

And how would pool closure at Holyhead and Amlwch help school children with their swimming lessons? Is the council determined to increase the island's carbon footprint?

So, is this council working with or against public health policy of government in Cardiff and Westminster?

That is the key question for Plaid Cymru-led Anglesey County Council. And the people of this island deserve an answer and soon!

Related Article:
Island Swimming Coach Slams Council Decision.

Anglesey Council U-turn on Swimming Pools Closure

Comments for Holyhead Swimming Pool Closure

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Aug 12, 2009
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This can't happen
by: Anonymous

The swimming pool is such a great thing to have in holyhead and it is a great thing to have.

Everyone enjoys going there and it has many uses .. We meet new friends there and we learn to swim .. obviously ..

When I was about five I was absolutely petrified of water. Even when I got swimming lessons I didnt want to let go of the sides, but I got over that and am now a strong swimmer .. which is thanks to the facilities in Holyhead.

A lot of people are afraid of the water and being taught how to swim is a good way around that .. for example I go swimming on the beach sometimes and sometimes i go a little out of my depth and go to far out.

If it wasn't for the lessons I had had in Holyhead I would probably drown. THIS POOL NEEDS TO STAY OPEN! FACT!

Aug 09, 2009
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Holyhead Pool Closure Threat
by: Paul Mattock

As a founding member of Cybi Kayakers I?m shocked at the thoughtlessness behind the decision to close Holyhead Swimming pool.

We are a kayaking club of some 70 plus members which is very much family based, and rely on having access to the pool in the winter months for members not only to develop their paddling skills, but to give the club an opportunity to introduce local people to the sport with free intro sessions.

Without access to the pool the club would be unable to offer this kind of opportunity to the local community.

Members give up their own time and money to make this kind of activity accessible to those living in the Holyhead Area and now those in power are happy to take all this effort and commitment away from the very people they are in power to serve, shame on them!

The sheer madness of it all is that they (the Sports Council of Wales) give use grants for the equipment needed to build up the club and then they (Anglesey County Council) take away the very facilities in which to utilize that equipment.

Aug 08, 2009
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The Loss Of A Child To DROWNING
by: Debbie Anne Turnbull

My name is Debbie Turnbull - I have a company named River And Sea Sense Ltd. This company was formed due to the death of my son who drowned at Capel Curig on 14th August 2006 aged 15.

Since he drowned I have been educating schoolchildren as to the dangers of water. Please see www.riverandseasense.com - read the poems and tributes - that is all I could do to cope in the early days.

In 6 days it will be the anniversary of 3 years - a group of around 14 of his loyal friends and myself will once again make the pilgrimage to Capel to pay our respects.

May I tell you that you re-live every moment of that day on anniversaries. I lived on anglesey for 8 years.

It is a most beautiful island. Whilst at the same time surrounded by some of the most treacherous waters.

PLEASE re-consider for the sake of the children that are living. I sometimes work 7 days doing what I do.

I am on target to speak to 40,000 schoolchildren in a 12 month period. I URGE you to please consider the consequences of your actions.

Aug 08, 2009
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Swimming Lessons
by: Louise Purnell

There are 1000+ children receiving swimming lessons between the three pools - Holyhead, Amlwch and Llangefni. How can they possibly accommodate all these childrens lesson from one pool? The answer is of course that they can't.

So if they go ahead with their plans, who will win the Swimming Pool Lottery for lessons? Who will decide which children can carry on with their lessons and which can't?

This is of course, without even taking into account all the children who are currently on waiting lists for lessons. Total and utter madness only just begins to sum it up!

Aug 08, 2009
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Swimming Lessons
by: Louise

There are 1000+ children receiving swimming lessons between the three pools - Holyhead, Amlwch and Llangefni. How can they possibly accommodate all these childrens lessons from one pool. The answer of course is that they can't! So how will it be decided which children get to continue their lessons and which ones will be told 'on yer bike'! This is of course not taking into account all the children who are on a waiting list for swimming lessons! Total and utter madness.

Aug 08, 2009
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Shame on you!!
by: Graham Blakey

My wife and her family are from Rhoscolyn. I have been watching the growth of the leasure centre ever since it was built.

My wife and I are at present in China. Each time we come home it is such a pleasure to see the happiness on the face of the local children, let alone the older generation such as us.

There is so little left to commend Holyhead and now for anybody to consider taking away one of the few thing the youth, and other citizens of Holyhead have is a crying SHAME. When are the next elections due???

Aug 08, 2009
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council out of touch
by: Jenny

how can the council even think of closing our pools? with children drowning every year because they could not swim is tragedy. pleaseee, pleasee keep pools open......!

Aug 08, 2009
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communities need swimming pool
by: David Phillips

I agree with you that Holyhead and Amlwch need to keep these swimming pools open.

I really don't know of anyone who thinks that closing a swimming pool will help people keep fit and feel good.

Surely, the council will not go ahead with this...

Aug 08, 2009
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get your act together fast
by: Anonymous

Are you listening Messrs Parry and Schofeld?

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