Pool lessons to be arranged in ‘more authorised fashion’

The controversy over a move by Mullingar Swimming Pool management to clamp down on private swimming lessons got an airing at the April meeting of Westmeath County Council, held on Monday of last week in Mullingar.

Cllr Ken Glynn raised the issue, and concern was expressed by the cathaoirleach, Cllr Aoife Davitt, and by Cllrs Mick Dollard, David Jones and Bill Collentine.

The swimming pool management announced a new policy banning private swimming lessons during public sessions at the pool from May 1. The announcement was greeted with dismay by parents, guardians and adult learners, who complained the move would significantly impact those who rely on one-to-one or small group instruction. Within 24 hours, a petition opposing the change received 550 signatures.

To that, the county council responded with a statement explaining that it is currently developing a formal operational framework governing the provision of private swimming lessons “to ensure robust standards around child protection, safety, insurance and instructor competency”.

Cllr Glynn said what was giving rise to concern was the fact that in its announcement, the council had offered no alternative arrangement.

“As members will be aware, last year there was a similar decision taken, but there was an actual alternative made, which worked out well,” he said. Cllr Glynn said many people require one-on-one tuition, and that there is a shortfall for such lessons within the pool.

“If we want to take such decisions, we should be definitely providing an alternative,” he said, suggesting that the decision be “paused” to allow consultation take place with stakeholders.

Cllr Davitt said she was hoping that solutions were being worked out, and said that with the new swimming pool being provided, it was important that such decisions are worked out now and that proper regulation be put in place.

Cllr Dollard, stating that his granddaughter is a member of Mullingar Jets, said it was important that a solution to the private lessons issue be found, while Cllr David Jones was grateful that there had been, he said, good communication over the issue.

Cllr Bill Collentine was unhappy over the suddenness of the announcement, stating that lots of families were using that service, and he was sure there was not a major problem and that, therefore, it could be easily solved. “I think we must find an alternative very very soon,” he stated.

Responding to the concerns expressed, director of services Deirdre Reilly stated that “for the past while”, enjoyment of public sessions at the pool was affected by the private lessons.

“These private lessons are not associated with the pool,” she stated, explaining that the pool was acting in response to complaints from pool users about their enjoyment of the facilities being affected.

“Subsequent to that, we’ve developed an operational framework governing the provision of private swimming lessons,” she said, conceding that there might be “a bit of hardship” for a week or two.

The position was, she continued, that from May 1, unauthorised private swimming lessons would not be permitted, but that was in order for the pool authorities to have a list of authorised private swimming lessons on a one-to-one basis during public sessions where there is enough capacity in the pool.

“So it is our intention to continue with what is on offer for the public but within more of an authorised fashion,” she stated.