14:15 > Tuesday 9th February 2010
April 1 promise of OAP swim-fee cuts
08 February 2007
ANGRY pensioner Pippa McNickle went off the deep end after her weekly swim at the Westminster Lodge pool on Friday.
Mrs McNickle, aged 63, of Folly Avenue, St Albans, said she and her fellow swimmers were denied access to half the pool which was roped off.
She said: "When I asked why only half of the lanes were open, I was told it was because only one lifeguard would be needed.
"Not only has the price for a pensioner been doubled for each swim in a dirty, severely-neglected pool but now we are being herded together up one end in cramped surroundings."
Mrs McNickle, a regular swimmer at Westminster Lodge since 1968, said: "I used to bring my children, then my grandchildren here. Since I retired after working 40 years as a nurse I have arthritic hips and shoulders which I attempt to keep moving by swimming once a week.
"If I could afford it I would use one of the private pools but I've paid rates here since 1968 and feel I should be able to go for a swim in comfort."
Pool manager Denise Enright denied that there was only one lifeguard present on Friday and said she was unaware of any problem on the day in question. She maintained that several swimmers had commented on the improved cleanliness at the pool.
Under new rules introduced at St Albans District Council swimming pools, pensioners no longer get a 50 per cent discount off the price of a swim.
This put the cost up from £11.20 to £22.40 for 10 swims. The cost went up to £2.80 a visit for pay-as-you-go.
There was some good news this week for pensioners like Mrs McNickle who are not in receipt of benefits and do not qualify for discounts.
Following several complaints publicised in the Herts Advertiser, the council's Sport and Healthy Living Portfolio Holder, Councillor Sheila Burton, has taken up the case of the disgruntled pensioners.
After a meeting on Monday afternoon to review pensioners' swimming costs, Cllr Burton said she had won a concession from Leisure Connection, the company which runs the council's leisure services.
She said: "From April 1 all residents over the age of 60 can sign up for a free Leisure Card which will entitle them to buy a book of 10 swim tickets for £16.80 valid for three months."
Cllr Burton stressed that council officers monitored conditions at sports facilities and took money from Leisure Connection if necessary.
She said: "I understood that better cleaning arrangements had been put in place but if the pool's standards of cleanliness are still faulty, action will also be taken to remedy them.
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