Pool of thought is - please keep Scartho Baths!

THERE seem to be a lot of potential developments in and around North East Lincolnshire at the moment, but none seem to demonstrate a clear 'joined-up' vision to improve and serve the area.

I agree with MP Austin Mitchell! We need to replace the Scartho pool with similar if not better facilities – and in light of the Olympic legacy, surely the area cannot afford to make the pool too short again!

I must also add that North East Lincolnshire needs a decent indoor sports arena with viewing areas. Hull has the Bonus Arena, and Scunthorpe has The Pods!

Get the right vision NELC! And everyone wins!

Mark Laughton,

Grimsby

I, LIKE so many other people, am saddened to hear of the proposed closure of Scartho Baths.

I have been using the pool (early birds) for a number of years now since I retired.

When the pool is pulled down, which it seems Mr Burnett has already made the decision for us (is he a plumber, builder, or architect) because he seems to have all the answers.

What amenities will there be for the residents of Scartho?

The village is getting bigger with Scartho Top still spreading – more families making their homes here.

Would it be impossible to look into maintaining the pool we already have and updating it instead of building another one elsewhere?

Mrs G Smith,

Scartho

I SUSPECT the forthcoming closure of Scartho Baths is more to do with the council wanting to off load the operating costs of the facility than with the building being in a state of disrepair.

The manner in which the planning procedures and the decision being finalised should be cause for public concern.

The amenity is highly valued by many in the community and wider consultation should have taken place.

I understand the replacement facility, apart from its location being less accessible for most people, will be much inferior to the Scartho Road complex with its excellent and well used amenities. Our area isn't exactly brimming with quality venues and the imminent loss of this one should be vehemently challenged.

Not to digress, but the local authorities' drive to save cash might begin with reducing the number of councillors.

Three representative for each ward is surely unnecessary and since to most, they are generally anonymous and ineffectual , one should suffice without adverse effects.

Also, if 5 per cent of our council tax goes on local authority pensions, perhaps there's a case for a paring down of superfluous posts which allegedly still prevail in many of our town halls; together with a review of the exorbitant lump sum pay-outs to retirees. Anything to save our cherished Scartho Baths.

Keith Baldock,

Cambridge Road,

Grimsby

MY oh my what a load of clowns we have for councillors representing the people of Grimsby by deciding to close down a swimming pool and gym that has been a big part of many people's lives for so long.

I learnt to swim there, as did my three daughters and now my grand daughter plus many millions of other people of Grimsby and the surrounding area during its time.

My wife and I both use the gym, the pool, the sauna and steam room at the Grimsby pool.

But we would not be using the new proposed pool and gym, which would not even have a steam room or sauna.

The pool itself would only be 25 metres long so I would think it would not hold many people at once for swimming as well as clubs and schools and no diving board.

Yet again we will be wasting money on a hair brained scheme which some clown thinks will be good for us – looks like I will be looking for a new gym to go to when they destroy the Grimsby pool.

I'm sure that £8.5 million would have really built a proper pool and gym that even had a steam room and sauna. Good luck to all the pensioners and disabled users who will have to get two busses from Waltham and outer areas to use the new pool.

William Eddington,

Laceby Road,

Grimsby

COULD someone please point out to Councillor Shaw that Scartho Road swimming pool is a public amenity and as such the public should have been consulted with regard to its future and that he, as a public servant, should make sure even at this late stage that the opportunity still occurs.

Surely the whole point of taking public office is to leave what you inherited in better condition than when you started?

So enough of the feathery tongued rhetoric about 'if' we receive a petition. Let us have a firm commitment to have public consultation.

Name and address supplied

The Telegraph says

The public has certainly made its feelings known about the future of leisure facilities - let us hope a positive outcome can be found.