Councillors vote for alternative leisure facilities during DG One closure
Written by author on September 3, 2013
At the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee held today (3 September 2013), Councillors agreed to a temporary swimming pool being erected in Dumfries in order to help to minimise the impact of the closure of DG One for remedial works.
The Council gave its commitment to local communities that it would continue to provide access to leisure facilities for the public when DG One closes. The approval of a temporary swimming pool demonstrates that the Council will deliver on this. Furthermore, Councillors agreed to the provision of a temporary fitness suite in the Loreburn Hall.
Councillors agreed today that the temporary pool will be sited at the Ice Bowl car park, Dumfries. The use of this temporary pool will be made available for the 17 months during which it is expected that the DG One facility will be closed. During this period the pool will be staffed with members of staff from DG One. The Council has committed to engaging with customers and staff as this option is worked out.
TOTAL Swimming is the company which will be providing the temporary pool. It has worked in partnership with SportEngland and the British Olympic Association. In the lead-up to the London Olympics, a number of 25 metre x 10 metre temporary pools were developed by the company, and they continue to be used to deliver the legacy of the Games.
Councillors also agreed that temporary fitness suite facilities also needed to be provided whilst DG One is closed for remedial works. It was decided that the most appropriate site for these facilities is the Loreburn Hall. The Hall will require capital expenditure in order to bring it back into use. Councillors were supportive of this, and approved a one off capital cost of approximately £500k in this connection. This will enable the fitness suite at DG One to be ‘uplifted’ and housed in the Loreburn Hall during the DG One remedial works.
A revised closure date for DG One was also discussed at the committee. It is now anticipated that DG One will not close until June 2014. Preparations for the closure will of course have to start well before that. In particular, work on the construction of the temporary swimming pool facilities and the necessary work at Loreburn Hall will have to start before DG One closes.
The decisions at the committee were unanimous with the Councillors working together to achieve an appropriate outcome for the community. The proposal was put forward by Area Chair, Cllr Cill Dykes and seconded by Cllr Colin Smyth.
Chair of Policy and Resources committee, Council Leader Cllr Ivor Hyslop, said that: “Dumfries and Galloway Council is fully committed to continuing the provision of full access by the public to appropriate leisure facilities for our local communities. It is a priority for our Administration to increase the health and wellbeing of our local people. Today’s decision is a huge step in maintaining the Council’s commitment. Vitally, it will allow us to plan for, and accommodate, the pending closure of DG One. By providing alternative swimming and fitness arrangements in Dumfries, we are guaranteeing continued access to leisure facilities for our local communities. The people of Dumfries have a great sense of pride with regards to the Loreburn Hall. Our decision today to inject half a million pounds of investment to bring the Hall back to life will seek to deal with part of the problem which arises from the closure of DG One. It is a positive solution in a difficult situation.”
Depute Leader of the SNP group, Cllr Iain Dick, said: “Today, Councillors worked together to deliver the best solution for the local community given that this is a regional facility. The temporary pool will enable Dumfries and Galloway to continue to deliver on its commitment to health and sport by providing access for the public to a much needed facility. The closure of DG One is unfortunate, but we are continuing to deliver the much needed leisure facilities during this period to local people.”
Cllr Colin Smyth of the Labour Group said, “the decision has paved the way forward for opening of the Loreburn hall. It has been a long battle but this is a real victory for the community of Dumfries who have made clear that they wanted to see the hall back in use for the good of the town. I believe there are a number of groups who would use the hall.”
Leader of the Independents, Cllr Jane Maitland, said, “the Council has made an outstanding decision to continue to invest in community facilities. We are still very upset that DG One is having to close. Today’s solution has provided us with a timely opportunity to honour our commitment to health and sport in the community.”
Chair of the Area Committee, Cllr Gill Dykes, said, “today’s outcome means that we are addressing the problem of the closure of the DG One facility. The capital injection relative to Loreburn Hall will bring this facility back to life so that it can be used during the period of the closure at DG One. This means that we will be able to provide a functional fitness facility during the period of the closure, and, also show our long term commitment to the people of Dumfries.”
