Southern Swimming Pool Board: Government's plan is 'flawed and inaccurate'

Financial analysis 'should not be relied upon' for decision over pool closure

The Southern Swimming Pool board has hit out at government's plan to close its pool in Castletown - branding a report recommending it 'flawed and inaccurate'.

It says the 'Long Term Strategic Plan for Regional Sports Hubs' report 'does not deliver' on the aspirations voted for by Tynwald in January 2023.

Last year politicians tasked the Department of Education, Sport and Culture and the Department of Infrastructure to 'produce a costed long term strategic plan to develop regional sports hubs as part of a newly branded offer'.

This was something the board says 'gave hope that regional sports hubs would be created to give the public a streamlined, coordinated and improved local sports offering'. 

Today (15 January) the board also argued that a 'supposedly long-term report has transformed into a short-term cost cutting exercise to enable the funding of NSC deficits' and has questioned the funding figures released by government.

'The analysis in the report misrepresents the financial situation of Southern Pool. It suggests that an additional £220,682 is needed from DESC for 2024-25. This is not true as the Southern Swimming Pool Board (SSPB) budget is achievable even without the extra energy payment which the regional pools received the last two years. The £220, 682 includes £134,000 for depreciation which does not affect cashflow and does not need funding. In 2022, the SSPB reduced opening hours and closed its café to save money. The SSPB will continue to only open the pool 5 days a week yet the £220,682 is based on 7 day opening. The curtailed opening, although unpopular with the public, saves £55,040. Finally, the £220,682 assumes that the local authorities all contribute at 2.5p per £ of rateable value. They can contribute up to 6.1p. If they all did this would generate an extra £55,440.' - Southern Swimming Pool Board 

It adds: "Closure of Southern Pool contradicts many of the objectives in The Isle of Man Strategy for Sport 2014-2024. 

"It is unlikely to increase physical activity in southern young people unless they run or cycle to Peel or Douglas to swim! 

"It is hardly likely to improve the well-being of people with poor health. Some may not be able to travel far whilst others will simply not have time for the lengthy journey. 

"Social inclusion will suffer as young and old will lose a safe welcoming place to meet others easily and exercise to their own choice. 

"The decisions to close Southern Pool, not build a replacement pool and not create a regional sports hub certainly do not fulfil the objective to maintain, develop and improve facilities. 

"DESC has stated that their recommendation is based purely on financial grounds. 

"However, their financial analysis is flawed and should not be relied upon to make a decision. 

"There are also significant social, health and environmental costs which have been ignored."

The Southern Swimming Pool Board also says it did not ask the DESC for an increase in funding and has questioned its assumption that energy costs will increase.