Mather’s Meeting on Mid Argyll Swimming Pool tonight

No one can say that our elected representatives are not doing all they can to bring about a positive outcome to the threatened closure of the underfunded Mid Argyll Awimming Pool.

Argyll’s MSP, Jim Mather, is holding a meeting at Lochgilphead Community Centre tonight (15th January) at 7.30pm, for all interested in this from all sides of the issue.

This comes as Jamie McGrigor, Dalmally-based Highlands and Islands MSP,  heard the Parliamentary Question he had tabled come to dicsussion at Holyrood yesterday.

Here is the exchange, starting with the question tabled.

‘Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what value it places on swimming as a way of improving both physical and mental health. (S3O-9060)

‘The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon): Thank you, Presiding Officer. The Scottish Government recognises that swimming is an excellent way to be physically active that not only promotes general wellbeing, but reduces the risk of major chronic disease such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers.

‘Jamie McGrigor: Is the minister aware of the threat of closure to the community-owned mid-Argyll swimming pool in Lochgilphead? Does she agree that such a closure would be a disaster for local people? Will she, like me, encourage all stakeholders to do everything possible to secure the swimming pool’s future?

‘Nicola Sturgeon: As I understand it, all stakeholders are working hard to ensure the future of the swimming pool in mid-Argyll. Mid Argyll Community Enterprises is looking at a range of options to secure the pool’s future. I understand that Jim Mather, the constituency MSP, is organising a meeting between the council, the enterprise company and other stakeholders, and that sportscotland has been invited to attend that meeting. Swimming is important and the Scottish Government remains committed to supporting, where we are able, the ability of people to take advantage of the sport that has all the benefits to which I referred earlier’.