The future of swimming pools must be safeguarded to support the health and success of the North East as almost one million bookings were taken at facilities across Aberdeenshire this year, an MSP has reiterated.
New statistics obtained by the Scottish Conservatives from Aberdeenshire Council show more than 940,000 bookings have been made at its swimming pools this year, up until November 30.
In the 11 months, Ellon Community Campus, Stonehaven Open Air Pool and Aboyne all recorded more bookings than the whole of 2023.
Stonehaven Open Air Pool saw the largest increase this year, with bookings rising by more than 5,000.
Ellon’s bookings increased from 101,571 last year to 102,285 for the first 11 months of this year, while Aboyne’s rose by almost 400.
It comes after neighbouring Aberdeen City Council opted to close Bucksburn Swimming Pool last year, but reversed the decision following huge backlash and a legal challenge from residents.
A report from Scottish Swimming and sportscotland found 147 facilities were at risk of closure based on age alone. The average age of Scotland’s 396 public pools is 36 years old.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Tess White, who campaigned against the closure of Aberdeen’s Bucksburn Swimming Pool, said: “Swimming pools are at the heart of our communities, yet they are under continued threat as a direct consequence of savage SNP cuts to council budgets.
“This is causing a devastating strain on facilities, forcing many to reduce opening hours, scale back what they offer or increase prices.
“Swimming helps to improve people’s confidence in and around water, keeps people of all ages active and improves our mental health.
“Yet the SNP government is depriving Scots of these facilities – even when it has received additional UK funding to match spending on similar resources in England.
“The huge health benefits swimming offers all age groups cannot be underestimated and I will continue to campaign for these facilities to remain open and accessible to all ages.
“Rather than finger pointing and playing the blame game, the SNP must provide councils with the resources needed to keep our swimming pools open.”
