Parents anger over indoor event cancelled due to weather

Jul 1 2009 by Robert Mitchell, Wishaw Press

AN angry parent has hit out at council bosses after she was told that a kids’ swimming competition at Wishaw Sports Centre had been rained off – even though the pool is indoors!

The event was part of the recent two-day Primary School Games which were held at the complex.

Organisers called off the second day’s events because of the weather.

Most of the events were outside but the decision was made to scrap the swimming as well and that annoyed some parents who had to take time off from work so their children could take part.

One mum who didn’t want to be named said: “This year, North Lanarkshire Leisure, together with North Lanarkshire Council, implemented an additional swimming event into their county sports programme.

“This meant that only swimmers attached to a swimming club were allowed to enter the planned swimming events.

“On approaching schools within the North Lanarkshire area, it became clear that local primary schools were not informed of these events until the last minute and many schools were unable to attend the event with the swimmers that wished to enter.

“Because of this, all of the swimmers’ parents had to request time off work to enable their children to swim at this event.

“On arrival at the sports complex, the swimmers and their parents were told by a representative of North Lanarkshire Leisure that the event had been cancelled due to rain.

“At least 10 parents that I have spoken to had to take a day off work to enable their kids to swim, only to be told it was rained off.

“Seriously, I ask you, how can you rain off an indoor swimming event?”

The mum added: “Can I also add that North Lanarkshire Council and North Lanarkshire Leisure have to date done nothing to actively help, encourage or nurture the local talent in our competitive swimming clubs in the area.

“This is entirely in contrast with neighbouring South Lanarkshire Council who – amidst other local initiatives – provide free pool time for all clubs in the South Lanarkshire area. North Lanarkshire swimming clubs are charged for pool use at the same rate as Joe Public going in for a swim.

“With North and South Lanarkshire hosting the International Children’s Games in 2011, I believe that it would be better for North Lanarkshire to help their swimming clubs to aim towards taking part in these games, in turn representing their country, club and council on an international stage.

“North Lanarkshire, whether the council knows it or not, has a handful of swimmers competing at the ICG in Athens this year.

“I think it is a disgrace that North Lanarkshire Leisure/Council are not prepared to proactively encourage local clubs by extra funding, support and guidance to enable these young swimmers and other athletes to excel at what they do.”

Neil Brownlee, North Lanarkshire Council’s Active Schools manager, said this week: “Very reluctantly, due to appalling weather we were forced to cancel Wednesday’s Primary Games at short notice.

“To minimise the staffing and transport disruption to each of the schools taking part, we decided to cancel all events, both indoors and outdoors. The only consolation is that Tuesday’s P4/5 event went ahead very smoothly and all feedback so far suggests that the children had a wonderful day.”

North Lanarkshire Leisure says that it provides free access to pools and gyms for development squad swimmers who meet the appropriate criteria under the Talented Sports Pass scheme

Mr Brownlee added: “We have been working with all the swimming clubs in North Lanarkshire and Scottish Swimming to appoint a dedicated Swimming Performance Coach. This represents a substantial investment in the development of competitive swimming.

“We are jointly funding the visit by North and South Lanarkshire swimmers and athletes to the International Children’s Games in Athens and will continue this support for the 2010 games in Bahrain.

“At the grass roots level our full-time Swimming Development Officer coordinates our popular Learn to Swim and Schools Learn to Swim programmes which provide significant numbers of young people with the ability to swim and enjoy water-based activities. We also run the annual schools swimming gala in October to provide entrants for the Scottish Schools Gala in January.

“And our North Lanarkshire Swimming Development Group also campaigns for more swimming facilities and improvements to existing pools to meet the needs of all swimmers.”