Swim-In planned to fight closure of Newcastle City Pool
Saturday 26th January, 2.15pm
Newcastle City Council is proposing closure of the City Pool as part of major budget cuts, possibly as early as March this year. In opposition to the Council’s plan, a Swim-In is planned for Saturday 26th January. Organisers are urging people to come to Newcastle City Pool from 2.15pm and hope to fill the pool to its maximum capacity of 156 people. Seating is also available for 500 spectators; supporters are asked to bring brightly colour banners and posters, as the event will be photographed to contribute to lobbying activities in opposition to the proposed cuts.
Over 171,486 people used the pool in 2011/12 and the repercussions of the closure will be felt across the whole community, affecting schools, young people, professional and aspiring athletes, students, the elderly, those with poor health and members of the general public. Newcastle City Pool employs 23 members of staff. Public support for the campaign is already mounting online and on social media with hundreds of people signing up for the Facebook event.
As well as providing a wide range of affordable facilities and services to the general public, Newcastle City Pool is home to the City of Newcastle ASC, Newcastle’s largest swimming club with over 200 members. Over the years the club has produced three Olympians and a host of swimmers who have represented the club nationally and Great Britain internationally. Without Newcastle City Pool, the club will not be able to continue to support the hundreds of young children who have already committed a great deal to the sport, many training twice daily.
“I find it hard to believe that the council is planning to evict the club and all the other pool users to turn its back on its Active Newcastle campaign and on the next generation of Olympic hopefuls. If the pool closes, Newcastle will have lost a crucial sporting asset as well as a building of major historic importance in the heart
of the city.” Louise Graham, Head Coach of City of Newcastle ASC
Swim-In organiser Nicola Singh says,
“Swimming is a big part of my daily life and I appreciate how fundamental is to the health and wellbeing of our wider community. It is not only a place for exercise and recuperation but also a place where people can come together with friends and family. Newcastle City Pool is the only facility that is accessible to everyone, in terms of both price and location. It’s not only fundamental to a great number of people’s physical and mental health, but it’s also the main training facility for our next generation of young athletes.’
Newcastle City Pool is one of a number of facilities included in the council’s planned £90m spending cuts, which will also affect Newcastle’s Libraries, Arts, Culture & Museums, Leisure, Environmental, Youth and Customer Services.
Event details
Newcastle Swim-In
Saturday 26th January 2013
Newcastle City Pool
Northumberland Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne and Wear
NE1 8SE
Pool open: 2.15pm – 2.45pm
Normal charges for Newcastle City Pool apply.
Photo opportunity and speeches: 3.00pm – 3.30pm
Schedule:
3.00pm: Nicola Singh, Organiser
3.05pm: Duncan Dollimore, Chair of City of Newcastle ASC Swimming Club
3.10pm: Nicky Ramanandi, Deputy Branch Secretary – Newcastle City Branch, Unison
3.15pm – 3.30pm: Photo opportunity
Contact
For more information, interviews or to request press/photography access please contact Nicola
Singh on 07973 982 007 or email newcastleswimin@gmail.com
