South Wales Evening Post - 2 May 2007
Swimmers have been told they face a bill for making a splash, after a pool of cash ran dry.For years members of swimming clubs have been using the pool at Olchfa Comprehensive School, thanks to funding from Swansea Council.
The money allowed the school to provide the out-of-hours service free-of-charge, benefiting hundreds of young swimmers across the city.But now letters have been sent to clubs telling them they will have to pay up if they want to use the school's facilities.
The decision has left many swimmers fearing their clubs will struggle to continue.One club which uses the pool is Olchfa Youth Wing Swimming Club.
The parent of one member said: "The future of the club is hanging in the balance from this decision.
"The school now wishes to charge the club £35 an hour for the use of the pool. As the club runs for three hours on two evenings a week, this would come to £210 a week, or £840 a month.
"It will be impossible for the club to carry on with such a heavy financial penalty.
"My children and many others have greatly benefited from the outstanding tuition received in the club - it would be a great shame to deny future members the opportunity to learn to swim locally, which is crucial in an area where beaches are so near."
The school has also contacted other groups which use the pool to tell them of the new fees, including members of the Canoldre Centre in Hafod, which it claims has been charging swimmers to use the pool, but retaining fees and not passing money on to the school.
Chair of Olchfa governors Rev Tim Williams said: "It is with regret that the board of governors had to take a decision to stop using the pool free of charge. This is no longer possible because the non-school use funding which we receive from the council has been withdrawn.
"Groups can continue to use the school facilities but we now have to make a charge to cover costs."It would be irresponsible of us to do otherwise."
The decision to stop the discretionary grant which financed free swimming at Olchfa was made by councillors in February last year.
A council spokesman said: "In the past it has been possible to offer some community groups support with the use of a discretionary grant from the council.
"In recent years there has been tremendous financial pressure on the council, as well as increasing demand for services.
"With that in mind, full council at its budget meeting reluctantly took the decision to discontinue the discretionary grant so that the resources could be directed to frontline services.
"While this means that in future the swimming clubs will have to pay for the use of the pool, it's anticipated that the charges will represent good value for money for the clubs as well as council taxpayers."
