Concerns over reduced opening hours at Johnstone Swimming Pool are set to be debated by councillors.
A motion due to be discussed at a full meeting of Renfrewshire Council on Thursday, 14th May, says the facility is closed for large parts of the day during weekdays and claims local users are being negatively affected.
The motion has been submitted by Councillor Iain McMillan and seconded by Councillor Gillian Graham. It calls for council officers to meet with leisure trust OneRen to discuss the possibility of restoring full-time weekday opening hours at the pool.
According to the motion, councillors believe access to the facility is significantly more limited than at other public swimming pools across Renfrewshire.
The issue is expected to spark debate at Thursday morning’s meeting, with concerns likely to be raised around the impact on residents who rely on daytime access for fitness, swimming lessons and general wellbeing.
The motion states: “Council agrees that it is not acceptable that Johnstone Swimming Pool is closed for much of the day from Monday to Friday.
“Compared to other public swimming pools in Renfrewshire use of Johnstone Swimming Pool is significantly impacted by reduced opening hours and users negatively affected.
“Council therefore agrees for officers to meet with OneRen to discuss the possibility of the pool once again being open full time during weekdays.”
Ahead of the meeting, Councillor McMillan said both the UK and Scottish Governments had allocated additional funding towards swimming, making the current situation “ironic”.
He said: “Both the UK and Scottish Governments have allocated additional monies for swimming so it’s all the more ironic that Johnstone pool is closed to the public Monday to Friday from 11am until 3pm.
“Also often schools use the pool for lessons and PE classes during the limited hours the pool is available to the general public.
“If the pool was open full time this would allow more flexibility for all users of the pool.”
Thursday’s meeting of full council will take place from 9.30am at Renfrewshire House in Paisley and will also be broadcast online.