Fair fees for Saddleworth Pool
Garth Harkness. Photo: Stuart Littleford.
Liberal Democrat Councillor, Garth Harkness, has welcomed the changes that will be introduced under the new contract for the fees charged at leisure centres across the borough.
Previously, it had been more expensive to swim or use the gym at Saddleworth. The changes will see flat fees across the board
Cllr Garth Harkness said: “I was raising the issue that Saddleworth was paying more for leisure facilities before I was elected. Since I have been banging on about it in the consultation process and I am delighted that there will not be a postcode lottery anymore in this borough
“There has been a misconception among some that everyone in Saddleworth is rich. This is not the case and people should not have to pay more because they live in Saddleworth.”
Liberal Democrat Councillor John McCann said: “I am pleased that OCL, a not for profit organisation look like they have won the contract against some companies who would look to merely make a profit. They have done a good job with their previous work on leisure through some very difficult times.”
As part of the changes Saddleworth Pool and Leisure Centre looks set to increase its opening hours at weekends.
Cllr Garth Harkness added: “I welcome the added flexibility enabling better access for the first class services. Some people had told me that more hours at weekend were wanted. If the pool is open on Saturday afternoons and longer at weekends then this can only be good news to help people stay healthy.”
Contact Garth Harkness: Garth.harkness@gmail.com, @garthharkness, garthharkness.mycouncillor.org.uk/
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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I am a member of the lesuire centre and it is good to hear about weekend times what needs sorting out is the parking there there are signs on the football ground fences saying do not park on footpath use the parking spaces and yet it is still going on and also you get some who park on the grass outside the pool entrace runing the grass people go there to keep fit surley they can walk a bit further i think there should be boallads put on the grass and path edges to keep these areas clear
Absolutely Michael. Parking at the pool is a disgrace, we regularly have to push our pram in the road thanks to all the gym-goers and football parents who park on the pavement…even when there are spaces available in the car park.
People pay to go to classes at the gym to get fit – but then park as near as they can. If it wasn’t so inconvenient for others, it’d be laughable…
just been today and where they park on the grass there is mud instead of grass and yestaday i could not belive my eyes when someone parked in the middle of the car park blocking a couple of cars in
I take my son to Saddleworth Pool every Saturday for his swimming lesson. I’ve made complaints before as there is usually no need for people to park on the pavement. The response from the Manager at the Leisure Centre was that they have signs in place, and apart from that there isn’t much they can do about it. Really lazy and thoughtless of most drivers – they want to be as close to the entrance as possible, with no thought for those using the pavement.
yes i have seen those signs very rare i use car to centre either walk, run or catch bus as i only live near Royal geroge pub
I am rather alarmed at the mention of increased opening hours because a much more significant issue, if you talk to local residents, is the manner in which the people who attend the Leisure Centre drive up and down Smithy Lane and Station Road with total disregard for the safety of other road users and/or pedestrians, including mums with prams and the elderly. I’m sure this matter has been previously discussed on here but despite numerous complaints to the Leisure Centre management, OCL, and the Local Authority there has been an increase in aggression shown by these drivers over recent time. It has been speculated that the increased level of testosterone due to the sports workouts play a part in this aggressive behaviour, I’m afraid I see it as just a poor excuse. There was obviously a due period of consultation in gaining planning permission, however in the same way a planning decision was recently overturned, after the event, at the outside football pitch at Saddleworth School, on noise issues,by way of one person successfully taking the Local Authority to court, this matter is crucial to local road safety before someone gets seriously injured.
i use to drive up there every time but now walk and get bus home they coming flying round that corner way to fast where the flats are
I use to go swimming there in the 1980s and it was hardly ever full as it was just a pool then
There are plenty of poor drivers in Uppermill who drive up that road. They’re not all going to the gym. The article is about fair fees for the facilities nothing else. If you have an axe to grind, submit an article about it – it’s not fair to hijack something entirely different.
Great news on the fees by the way 🙂
its even cheaper if you a member £26.95 a month and i go 6 days per week worth the money