10:00am Thursday 29th July 2010
I am writing to you with regard to the proposed closure of Temple Cowley Swimming Pool.
Oxford City Council plans to close the centre, demolish it and replace it with a new facility outside the ring road at Blackbird Leys.
As a Temple Cowley resident and regular user of the pools, including gym and fitness classes, I feel this closure is totally unacceptable and also feel this could be damaging to our community.
The facility is well-used by local people, and whenever I am there, it is always busy.
I have lived in East Oxford all my life and have used this facility since I was a child – even before I lived in Temple Cowley.
When I was a child I learned to swim there and at Peers Pool. We travelled from school to use Temple Cowley in groups.
I know the pool is valuable to my community. Parents from the local area take their children swimming and the centre is used by the elderly because it is free to them. If this facility is withdrawn, these people may not be able to travel to the new proposed site and will stop going.
Swimming and fitness classes are a great way to meet people, keep healthy and socialise and this may be many people’s lifeline.
I also feel that local people are going to suffer enough with the Oxfordshire County Council cuts. We should not suffer any more withdrawals of local facilities.
The gym has, in the past year or so, undergone a major refit which cost a lot of money and is an excellent facility.
I am aware that jobs at Temple Cowley could be at risk. This may be very worrying for people especially during a recession.
I very seriously injured my knee in May 2009 and have had two operations to correct my injury.
Gym exercise and swimming are paramount to my rehabilitation and without this facility, which is so close to home, I would be limited as to where I could go to do my fitness.
I would value other readers’ comments on this proposed closure. I remain passionate in campaigning against this closure.
Chloe Woodley, Temple Cowley, Oxford
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