Thornton Heath swimmers irate at losing swimming time to children
By Jo Charlton
joanne.charlton@essnmedia.co.uk
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LOSING HER POOL: Trish Heggie with other swimmers at Thornton Heath Leisure Centre
Swimmers at Thornton Heath Leisure Centre say they are sick of having their adult-only sessions cut short to accommodate children.
They claim timetables are constantly being changed making it impossible to plan when to go for a decent swim.
Trish Heggie, 48, of Dagnall Park, Selhurst, says the same problem of adults playing second fiddle to youngsters occurs every summer holiday.
She explained: "We were worried it was all going to happen again but they said 'don't worry, you will still get your hour-and-a-half, except two lunchtimes which will be an hour'.
"We were fine with that. But we went last Monday (August 3) for our aerobics class which lasts an hour, and were told we couldn't have our half an hour swimming afterwards.
"It changes every time we go and there is no notification so one lady who does 20 lengths every day turned up at 12.50pm on Wednesday (August 5) and was told to get out 10 minutes later.
"Each year we have the same argument and it just seems to fall on deaf ears."
The leisure centre in Thornton Heath High Street usually puts on adult-only swimming sessions between midday and 1.30pm every weekday, with cordoned off lanes.
But for the last three years upset swimmers say these times have been shortened or cut completely in the school holidays, to allow longer swimming sessions for all ages or sessions where children's inflatables are put in the pool.
In response a spokeswoman for Fusion, which runs the leisure centre said: "We were sorry to hear that the rescheduled pool time has caused difficulties for some of the regular adult swimmers.
"During the school holidays we aim to maximise the use of the pool to give school children and families the opportunity to make the best use of the facilities.
"With the under 16s (now) swimming free the pool is extremely popular and we're keen to provide a safe place for youngsters to go and have fun."
The spokeswoman added that the usual timetable would resume in September and that the leisure centre would take into account the complaints when planning the next holiday timetable.
16 Comments
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by Dave, Coulsdon
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 7:59PM
“I have read with great dismay some of the hurtful and damn right rude comments logged here, I'll be marking them as 'abuse'.
I know many of the people affected, they all suffer with their health in some way shape or form, many having physiotherapy and swim on their therapists advice and encouragement. The water helps support their problematic areas and thus enable them to excercise. Are we thus asking these people to forgo their 'treatment' whilst some people treat the pool as a creche, leaving their children unsupervised to create mayhem ?? I THINK NOT !!
I see no reason why the schedules should be changed during the holidays, after all these people are paying for the 'priviledge' !!!!”
by Negative, The Cronx
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 6:30PM
“Can't the kids go swimming in the school swimming pools in the area that aren't being used? Or is the thought of school staff doing a year's work for a year's pay too much?”
by Harry, laugh
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 3:45PM
“Get rid of that picture is a digrace how could she have allowed herself to be photographed i that state. No example to kids at all disgraceful.”
by ANNE, SELSDON
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 8:56AM
“David, South Croydon - everything you say makes sense.”
by misterkipling, croydon
Monday, August 17 2009, 10:02PM
“The OAPs in the photo and the kids should get along better, they have so much in common.
Urine in the pool could be from either group, as with the odd steamer.
Both groups shout loudly without realising and think the staff are idiots
Are you telling me theres no common ground there
The photo is like an advert for Ginsters”