'Scartho pool is the biggest and best for miles', says MP Austin Mitchell
AUSTIN Mitchell has stepped into the controversy surrounding the future of Scartho Baths – by asking the council to reconsider its closure.
The veteran Grimsby MP said the issue "should be subject to much wider consultation and discussion" and should "only be taken if no alternative funding is available".
As reported, the pool will close in about two years' time and a new pool built as part of a £7.5-million project at Grimsby Leisure Centre, featuring a 25-metre pool and a new gym.
North East Lincolnshire Council has said that the site of the baths "may well be sold for housing" but that no decision has been made.
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The plan has been met with opposition from residents, especially those local to Scartho, who feel there has been little public consultation.
Now, Mr Mitchell has added his views.
"It would be wrong and unfair to even consider closing it until a similar or better facility of the same size or bigger is available and running," he said.
"We can't and shouldn't leave a generation of swimmers without the facilities and the pool they need to swim, train and develop their potential.
"Since the news broke that the council had taken a little-noticed decision last December to close the swimming pool, I've been bombarded with expressions of concern from swimmers, young and old.
"The pool may be 50 years old but it's still well-maintained, well-used and the biggest and best for miles around.
"I don't want to see young swimmers and divers, anxious to develop their skills to championship levels, being forced to go to Sheffield – which will be the nearest available large pool if we close ours.
"Nor do we want a generation of schools and young people left without the swimming facilities they now enjoy."
Mr Mitchell's comments come after a recent public meeting, where Councillor Mick Burnett, the portfolio holder for tourism and culture, tried to reassure disappointed residents.
As reported, the plans to revamp leisure facilities in the area were revealed three years after they were first mooted.
A new stand-alone centre would be built in front of the existing Grimsby Leisure Centre, in Cromwell Road, allowing customers to continue using the current facilities without being affected by the work. Although there will be a new 25-metre pool, the facility will not have a steam room, sauna or diving board facilities.
Mr Mitchell added: "I sympathise with the council because a 26 per cent cut in Government support up to 2015 puts them in a really tough financial situation.
"However, it's still important to maintain sporting and health activity and some alternative funding is available through Olympic legacy money."
What do you think?
Share your thoughts by e-mailing viewpoint@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk or by visiting www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk and commenting on this article.
Comments
by Philip5957
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 4:10PM
“Not long ago a Hull councillor said Chris Shaw was suffering from paranoid megalomania.
There are now 9500 people in N. E. Lincs who now believe he was right and that Mick Burnett is having the same problem. They should be sent back to the circus with the rest of the clowns.
With 8 million less from the Government, the council having to save another 14 million, services cut to the young, the people in hardship and the cuts to all the services to the old, who do not know whether to Eat or Heat, anyone who wants to spend 8million on a new swimming pool must have peanuts for brains.
He needs to come clean about the whole saga. What is he hiding? The whole thing smells of a fiddle and illegality.
Where is the 8 million coming from?
He is already using the reserve fund; it will not be long before that has all gone. Labours Gordon Brown bankrupt the country Labours Chris Shaw will bankrupt N. E. Lincs.
He needs to let people see the surveys done on Scartho Pool.
He needs to say if he is going to sell Barratts for housing which would need a new road entrance where the pool is.
Why has building the new pool not being put out to tender when other firms say they can build it cheaper?
Has the company chosen to build the pool any links to any Labour Councillor?
A lot of people think that the whole idea of a new pool originated from Belfour Beatty
Who hope to get a lot of the work, so the question must be asked? Has the building company any links to, or is part of the Belfour Beatty Group? The arrogant bombastic attitude of the man in the way he is treating the people and the way he talks to other none Labour councillors shows he is not fit to run the council let alone a car boot stall.
The whole idea of building a new pool should be legally investigated and if necessary taken to the High Court, our two local MPs who are also against the idea should make sure it happens to stop the utter waste of money.”
by Ron_Shepherd
Monday, October 01 2012, 5:41PM
“Allthough the decision to close the baths was taken prior to my election, i have not, and will not support the closure of this facility.
Any decision taken by the "the Council" regarding closure should have been given public debate prior to it being made.
The lack of public consultation is now a major issue in a very unpopular decision made by the Cabinet.
I have not and will not support the closure to be replaced by an inferior building with inferior facilities without consultation or public debate.
I do hope that makes my position clear.
Councillor Ron Shepherd.
UKIP Councillor for Scartho Ward.”
by MalcomsMate
Thursday, September 27 2012, 8:57PM
“Is Mr Mitchell still involved in pushing this forwards?”
by ImmArthur
Thursday, September 27 2012, 3:37PM
“It's not very often I agree with the man Mitchell, but in this case...
Arthur, Immingham”
by ErnieBrown
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 11:02AM
“We're not and never have been asking for a shiny new, very expensive pool...just for the current Great Grimsby Swimming Pool to be refurbished. This should have been happening as a matter of course over the last few decades and would ultimately have saved NELC many millions of £'s. NELC would then not need to be proposing to deprive thousands of people who live in that area of town, of much needed health facilities.
For a young family with a couple of kids, to travel from Sutcliffe Ave to the site of the proposed new smaller play pool and back , would take four bus journeys and would more than double the cost of taking the young 'uns for a swim.”
by ErnieBrown
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 8:51PM
“"I've just returned from the baths with another 71 names on the petition. Well done people of Gy
we've over 1400 names so far. If you haven't signed yet, you can also post your protest online at the address below
Ernie Brown
Save Scartho Baths Group member
Support us at w w w dot save scartho baths dot com""""”
by arthurskid
Monday, September 17 2012, 8:23PM
“Well done Austin. (Like others, I didn't think I would ever be saying those words!) Let's hope that the motion is chosen for debate.”
by ErnieBrown
Monday, September 17 2012, 7:26PM
“"I've just returned from another hour collecting names on the petition to stop the demolition of Scartho road baths. In that hour I collected another 61 names.
If you would like to help or get a blank petition form to take to your club/church/workplace etc just get in touch.
Ernie Brown
Save Scartho Baths Group member
Support us at w w w dot save scartho baths dot com""”
by ErnieBrown
Monday, September 17 2012, 4:47PM
“"C'mon Hmm.mmm, please be patient. I'll be at Scartho Baths this evening between 6-7pm collecting names on the petition which is now filling up with well over 1,000 NELincs ratepayers, come along and help or just have a chat if you like.
We do need more help though...
Ernie Brown Save Scartho Bath Group Member
Support us at w w w dot save scartho baths dot com""”
by AlanBarratt
Monday, September 17 2012, 2:45PM
“Dear hmm_mmm
We don't seek Public Approval we clearly have it ! Despite your best efforts to cast doubt over our ours in trying to make a difference and save our Pool.
We have well over 1100 signatures, to our Petition, and it is rising daily, we are thankfully supported well in this blog, and in the street, across the political spectrum, across the Borough of Great Grimsby.
Have you signed the Petition? or are you simply an agent provocateur and negative commentator ?
Alan Barratt - Save Scartho Baths Group Member
Support us at w w w dot save scartho baths dot com”