Scartho Baths closure: Protestors dive in at events showcasing new pool (video)
CAMPAIGNERS against the closure of Scartho Baths laid siege to consultation events to show the public plans for a new pool.
The furious protestors surrounded Scartho Baths and Grimsby Auditorium as the council showed off 3D models of the planned £8.4-million new pool.
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LISTEN TO US! Members of Save Our Pool protest outside a public consultation into the new leisure facilities at Grimsby Swimming Pool.
More than 20 Save Our Pool supporters turned up at Scartho Baths – which will be closed when the new pool is complete – to hand out leaflets and man picket lines.
Stuart Jaffrey, 74, of Scartho Road, said: "We need to save this for future generations – the new location is in the wrong place and not accessible for many people in the town."
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Pete Winchester, president of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Amateur Swimming Association, said: "The new pool doesn't even have a diving board, which is a facility the community deserves."
As reported, it was the second day of protests, after campaigners made their views known at similar events held at the Central Library and Cleethorpes Leisure Centre on Tuesday.
Helen Crosby, 39, of Cleethorpes, said: "The model looks great. Scartho Baths really needs updating, so I think this whole design is brilliant.
"Unfortunately these designs do not have diving facilities included and I think that will be missed."
However, Paul Richmond, 32, of Cleethorpes, said: "Scartho Baths was in an ideal location near the centre of town. I think this new centre will be hard to get to for many people, so I expect that will have to be looked into further.
"Other than that the design looks good and Grimsby Leisure Centre really needs a refurbishment."
But Scartho Baths proved to be a real hub of protest, as tempers also ran high inside the building as angry residents raised their voices, and even manhandled a representative from the architects behind the scheme, who was there to explain the plans. Sue Rust, 62, of Laceby Acres, said she believes the council has an ulterior motive – after a heated exchange with Sue Wells, head of culture, leisure and sport for North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC).
"They must think we have MUG written on our foreheads – it makes no sense to spend £8 million on a new pool when they could refurbish it for less than £2 million, so there must be some other reason," she said.
The picketers also handed out leaflets claiming that a leaked condition survey report, done for NELC in 2010, claims it would cost just £1.5-million to refurbish Scartho Baths, extending its life by ten years.
However, Steve McIntyre, partner of Faulknerbrowns Architects – which designed the new facility – said that is only half the story.
"That would be the cost of replacing essential plant and equipment but there would also be substantial further costs as 'consequential improvement' to the building fabric," he said.
Mr McIntyre claims the new building would also be much more energy efficient – saving NELC money on running costs – and will be more suitable for children and people with disabilities.
26 Comments
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by DannyWilde
Friday, March 08 2013, 8:14AM
“If you have to resort to personal abuse then you have lost your argument before you begin. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and for that opinion to be listened to, bear in mind these retired people couldn't be supported by others as the ridiculous timing of this meant many supporters were at work”
by stujaffray
Friday, March 08 2013, 12:35AM
“luttykinz and s-pike ,you must be related to Cllr Mathew Brown , of "it,s a dump" and seat are bloodstained notoriety ! The Save The Baths Group are trying to save the pool for the younger members of our society , we might be aged but are fit in "mind" unlike the labour administration who just will not listen to their electorate . Long live the OAPs , "Save The Baths" !”
by luttykinz
Thursday, March 07 2013, 10:12PM
“i wonder what the combined age from the photo is? go home and wait for death.”
by luttykinz
Thursday, March 07 2013, 10:12PM
“lol that blonde woman needs to build a bridge and jump off it.. i am all for a new pool, it was **** anyways. and at least when its new, that silly vow wont be there.”
by Grimbarian
Thursday, March 07 2013, 9:15PM
“Both local MPs have already given their public support to the campaign to save Scartho Baths, but what the campaign needs is for councillors from the opposing parties to also show their support. There must also be some amongst the Labour ranks who know that what they are doing is wrong, but do not want to come forward due to the repercussions they would receive from their own party. A few high-profile athletes showing their support would also help the cause.
It seems that a lot of the decisions that have been made are to the financial benefit of Balfour Beatty. How much of a strangle hold do Balfour Beatty have on our council?”
by AfricanMeggy
Thursday, March 07 2013, 6:51PM
“There is plenty of money in this country for everything we need! There is no need to make cuts! If we stopped sending millions to third world countries,foreigners using our benefits and Health services, fighting a totally useless was in Afghanistan.We could keep Scartho baths AND have the new leisure centre.Britain has done more than enough for the rest of the world.We must now look after our selves and our own including the old and people who need help.”
by s_pike
Thursday, March 07 2013, 6:05PM
“We have to obey George Osborne's edict and make £50+M in cutbacks and the need for three swimming baths faced with such cuts is a luxury Dave, George and the ConDems say we can't afford. Get rid of Scartho Baths along with those playing fields at the back and sell them off to build houses on to make a dent in that huge £50+M task. We've got plenty of school field facilities for people to take exercise on and play games on and OK, we won't produce an Olympic high diving star but frankly who cares.
The loss of Scartho Baths is small beer compared to people who will slung out of their council HOME because they've got a spare bedroom. The well heeled, mealy-mouthed objectors make the silent majority sick by their selfish attitude.
What can be seen on these comments boards is the daily nonsensical diatribe aimed at the council and as we all know, that can be attributed to mainly one troll of many names with his own sad coal dust, windmill, council, council tax, GT agenda. Look at the comment history of the troll who attacks this comment, but then he'll create yet another profile.............. so obvious and so boring ;-(”
by s_pike
Thursday, March 07 2013, 6:04PM
“OF COURSE WE'VE GOT TO HAVE CUTS IT'S THE TORY WAY.
MAGGIE CUT EVERYTHING CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT!
MAGGIE CUT EVERYTHING CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT!
MAGGIE CUT EVERYTHING CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT!
MAGGIE CUT EVERYTHING CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT!
MAGGIE CUT EVERYTHING CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT!
MAGGIE CUT EVERYTHING CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT!
MAGGIE CUT EVERYTHING CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT!
MAGGIE CUT EVERYTHING CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT!
MAGGIE CUT EVERYTHING CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT!
MAGGIE CUT EVERYTHING CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT!
MAGGIE CUT EVERYTHING CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT!
True? Of course it is and we're still paying a heavy price for the TORY CUTS, Fuel, Utilities.....”
by davel60
Thursday, March 07 2013, 3:25PM
“Now, I'm probably completely wrong on this one, but, as the council have clearly sold this land off, shouldn't the council tax payers of N£LC benefit financially from this sale?
Surely, somewhere down the line, the land must have been bought by or, donated to the council by a private donor. Therefore, if it was purchased, the council must have used public money, effectively OUR money, to make that purchase. Everyone should get that money back.
If the land was donated, however, I believe the land should be used for whatever benefits the people of Grimsby.”
by Robert38
Thursday, March 07 2013, 3:03PM
“GYCitizen1979
Well said I am in total agreement.”