DESC hasn't fully assessed cost of transporting children for swimming lessons 

But minister 'confident' they'll continue elsewhere if southern facility is closed

Government says it’s ‘confident’ it can continue to offer children in the south of the Island the same access to swimming lessons if a decision is taken to close the Southern Swimming Pool.

But the Department of Education, Sport and Culture has admitted it hasn’t fully assessed how much it would cost to transport youngsters to different facilities around the Island.

Plan

Tynwald will be asked to vote on the department’s plan to close the pool in Castletown next month; if approved it could close its doors by the end of March.

It follows the publication of a report – the ‘Long Term Strategic Plan for Regional Sports Hubs’ – compiled by the department and the Department of Infrastructure over the last year.

They recommend that the southern pool is shut due to a number of factors including its age, condition and loan free status.

The DESC claims doing this would save around £434,000 a year and allow it to support the Peel and Ramsey regional pools, within budget, with the annual subvention of £1.75 million.

You can find out more HERE. 

Criticism

MHKs in the south of the Island have criticised the plans with one saying residents in the south feel ‘betrayed’ by government.

The Southern Swimming Pool board has also hit out at the department saying the report is ‘flawed and inaccurate’.

You can find out more HERE.

And many people in Castletown told Manx Radio they didn't want to see the facility closed:

Education

Concerns have also been raised about the educational aspect of the pool.

The DESC has responsibility for providing swimming lessons at schools and says it has explored all options for lessons, schools and clubs.

It’s told Manx Radio it’s spoken to headteachers at schools in the south of the Island about alternative arrangements.  

But Minister Julie Edge says whilst her department has a ‘rough idea’ of how much it would cost to take children to Peel, Ramsey or Douglas nothing has been finalised:

Newscast

You can hear the full interview with Minister Edge by listening to this episode of NEWSCAST.