Parent Power Wins Swimming Changes

FOLLOWING a petition of over 330 names, and representations to Thame Town Council, SOLL Leisure has reversed it decision to run a 50 week programme of swimming lessons at Thame Leisure Centre.
The trouble started when, for budget reasons, SOLL Leisure decided to change its swimming lessons programme from 36 weeks to 50 weeks, with very short notice and without consulting parents, they say.
Many parents were upset because as they saw it, they were having to pay for weeks that included family and school holidays, when their children would be unable to attend their swimming lessons. Also, some parents were of the opinion that running lessons in the school holidays meant that the pool was not available for public swimming.
Parent, Christina Dore, told town councillors at a meeting of the Policy and Resources committee on Tuesday (Jan 31), that she had withdrawn her child from swimming classes after she was given 48 hours notice that her daughter’s swimming day had been changed to another night which clashed with Brownies. She said:”I felt as though we were being emotionally blackmailed to stay with this system. “Children need a break,” she continued. “Swimming shouldn’t be a chore.”
Because the 50 week swimming programme was built in to SOLL Leisure’s Business Plan, there are financial implications for Thame Town Council who have a Management Contract with SOLL to run the pool. However, it is hoped that more public swimmers, Crash Swimming Courses in the summer holidays and other organised activities will make up the difference in expected revenue to the council.
The financial effect of the change will be reviewed in October 2006.