Anger at swimming sessions axe

Angry swimmers have hit out after public sessions were slashed to accomodate Wolverhampton Swimming Club – which has lost its home because of the imminent Compton Park baths closure.

Swimmers turned up to Central baths to find their sessions cancelled. Several hours a week are now occupied by the club, which trained at Compton Park before it was earmarked for closure.

Sue Hess, aged 46, of Perton, said she turned up for her regular Wednesday 7.30-8.30pm session only to be told she would not be allowed in.

She said she was convinced the council’s decision to axe her session in favour of accomodating the club was financially motivated.

“As a regular user of central baths over the past 10 years, I find it very sad that the city council obviously find it more important to try to cash in on what is after all a ‘public’ swimming pool,” she said.

“We have already seen hundreds of children across the borough deprived of swimming lessons from the closure of Compton swimming pool. Now adults too are being targeted with the loss off some adult-only swimming sessions.” Tim Clark, spokesman for Wolverhampton City Council, said the changes had been implemented following a review of Central Baths usage.

He said: “These were widely publicised throughout May – this was done verbally to regular users, via posters and on our website. We apologise if the users who contacted the Express & Star were unaware of the new timetable.

“On a Wednesday evening there is still public swimming at Central Baths between 6pm and 7.30pm. Elsewhere the pool at Bilston Leisure Centre is open to the public until 8.30pm on a Wednesday. The superb new Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre at Bentley Bridge is also open for public sessions until 9pm on a Wednesday and there is an adults only session from 9pm to 10pm.

“We continue to offer public swimming sessions every weekday evening at Central Baths.

“The changes were necessary to address the issue of chronic low usage during certain times and in order to accommodate Wolverhampton Swimming Club.”