“SOS - SAVE OUR SWIMMING!
Bristol City Council have announced that, as of the 1st April 2013 they are going to stop swimming clubs from delivering beginner swimming lessons in favour of those delivered by the facility operator (which in the case of Bristol's swimming pools is SLM or Parkwood).
Portway Swimming Club (Portway) has been teaching and developing children's swimming skills for almost 70 years. In common with similar clubs in Bristol, Portway is run entirely by volunteers who freely give their time to contribute to the development of the City's young people. We estimate that over the years, the club has taught and developed over 3000 members - a long and lasting legacy for many Bristol swimmers. The club is affiliated to the ASA and our coaches are ASA qualified.
Many parents in our club have made an informed decision to send their children to Portway having been dis-satisfied with both the service and costs of SLM Limited - a company which, after all, is being paid by these very same parents, via their council tax, to run the leisure centres of Bristol.In the current society much is made of community responsibility and volunteering. It is difficult to reconcile this with the Council's position, particularly for activities that develop children's safety, health and wellbeing. Furthermore, it is such a shame that after the positive feelings towards sport generated by last year's Olympics the catch phrase "inspire a generation" seems not to have had any impact on Bristol City Council whose action we fear will have quite the opposite effect.
One must question if the council are working for the benefit of the local community or their bank balance? Do you think that this is justifiable and if yes, how?”
“SOS - SAVE OUR SWIMMING!
Bristol City Council have announced that, as of the 1st April 2013 they are going to stop swimming clubs from delivering beginner swimming lessons in favour of those delivered by the facility operator (which in the case of Bristol's swimming pools is SLM or Parkwood).
Portway Swimming Club (Portway) has been teaching and developing children's swimming skills for almost 70 years. In common with similar clubs in Bristol, Portway is run entirely by volunteers who freely give their time to contribute to the development of the City's young people. We estimate that over the years, the club has taught and developed over 3000 members - a long and lasting legacy for many Bristol swimmers. The club is affiliated to the ASA and our coaches are ASA qualified.
Many parents in our club have made an informed decision to send their children to Portway having been dis-satisfied with both the service and costs of SLM Limited - a company which, after all, is being paid by these very same parents, via their council tax, to run the leisure centres of Bristol.In the current society much is made of community responsibility and volunteering. It is difficult to reconcile this with the Council's position, particularly for activities that develop children's safety, health and wellbeing. Furthermore, it is such a shame that after the positive feelings towards sport generated by last year's Olympics the catch phrase "inspire a generation" seems not to have had any impact on Bristol City Council whose action we fear will have quite the opposite effect.
Please sign our e-petition: http://tinyurl.com/bukguyf
One must question if the council are working for the benefit of the local community or their bank balance? Do you think that this is justifiable and if yes, how?”