Fenland leisure centre operator calls halt to swim clubs running swimming lessons
Swimming clubs across Fenland have been left counting the cost after operators of the area’s leisure centres announced they can no longer provide swimming lessons.
Posting on Facebook March Marlins current president Mark McGowen said: “A very sad day for March Marlins Swimming club. For over 30 years we have provided lessons for non swimmers, today that stops.
“Freedom Leisure have now stopped all clubs providing this service in all their pools.”
The ban has also hit Wisbech Swimming and the Dolphins Club at Whittlesey.
Swimming lessons provides a much needed income for the clubs and one commenter on Mr McGowen’s post pointed out they are the backbone of the club.
However, a club spokesman, said March Marlins would not be making any official comment, and said: “We as a committee at March Marlins are in ongoing discussions with Freedom about finding a way forward that works for all and it would be remiss of us to say anything else at this time.”
A spokesman for Fenland Council explained Freedom were already looking at ending clubs providing swimming lessons to non swimmers but the pandemic had prompted the decision to be brought forward.
He also said it was unusual nationally for swimming clubs to teach non-swimmers and Freedom's decision was in line with how it operates across its other pools nationwide.
Freedom 's own Learn to Swim programme, which is set to re-open in September, but because of the need for cleaning between lessons more time is required for each session.
Councillor Sam Clark, portfolio holder leisure, who praised Freedom for being able to re-open the district's pools, said: “Times are extremely difficult for leisure operators at the moment. This means it has been necessary to make decisions regarding financial sustainability in the best interests of maintaining Fenland’s leisure facilities into the future for our communities.
"Reduced class size and pool capacity, in line with additional cleaning time required between sessions, has meant that Freedom have needed to change the way they deliver their programmes and hire pool time.
"With over 1,800 children learning to swim in Fenland’s pools every week, this has unfortunately resulted in a reduction of available time for other sessions, including local swimming clubs.
“Freedom will be working closely with swimming clubs to ensure their sustainability and club swimming continues in March and Wisbech, but swimming clubs will coach swimming in the future, but not teach non or weak swimmers.
"Unfortunately in Whittlesey, there is no pool time available to the Dolphins Club as over 600 children already attend Freedom’s Learn To Swim sessions, with the Covid arrangements necessitating the use of pool timeslots following usual lesson times.
"This arrangement will be kept closely under review, with the aim being to welcome the Dolphins Club, amongst others, back into the pool soon as Covid restrictions allow."
