Update 17th November: The SNP’s Highlands  Islands MSP, Dave Thompson, who had already signed Jamie McGrigor’s Pariamentary Motion, in adding his support to the motion, has issued a statement saying: ‘It would be a huge loss to the communities of Lochgilphead and Mid Argyll if this facility were shut down.

‘Not only does the Mid Argyll pool offer obvious physical and mental health benefits, but it is particularly concerning to see a community-owned social enterprise endangered.

‘We need more of these facilities, not less. I look forward to this motion being debated in Parliament and further raising the issues and support for its continued existence and contribution to the community’.

Update 16th November: Labour’s Rhoda Grant has just lent her support to fellow Highlands & Islands MSP, Conservative Jamie McGrigor’s Parliamentary Motion asking that the future of the Mid Argyll Swimming Pool be assured.

As we have reported, the Pool is under threat of closure due to an immediate financial shortfall and an anticipated loss on the year’s trading.

Rhoda Grant says: ‘It is vital that services like this are maintained within communities and I am delighted to be able to support Jamie McGrigor’s motion acknowledging this threat.

‘During the current climate, we are seeing businesses facing economic challenges, but the threat facing the Mid Argyll Community Pool will impact on the whole community.  It is the facility’s users who will lose out completely if it closes, as the nearest pools are in Oban, Rothesay, Dunoon or Campbeltown.

‘Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Earlier this year, I wrote to the Scottish Government asking that swimming pools that were registered charities be exempt from water rates – in light of this development I will be urging them to reconsider. These services need to be supported.’

Jamie McGrigor’s motion is attracting cross=party support. It has currently been signed by:

• Bill Aitken, Conservative
• Jackson Carlaw, Conservative
• Nanette Milne, Conservative
• Mary Scanlon, Conservative
• Ted Brocklebank,Conservative
• Frank McAveety, Labour
• Margaret Mitchell, Conservative
• Dave Thompson, SNP
• Rhoda Grant, Labour

Related Posts

• McGrigor follows up on North Argyll business signage row (1)
• McGrigor tables Parliamentary Motion on Mid Argyll Swimming Pool (1)
• For Argyll calls for action in the interests of Loch Striven communities (1)
• Thompson proposes a fate worse than death for critics of Gaelic (0)
• Meeting of minds on Mid Argyll Swimming Pool (3)

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