May 2006

Kemnay & District Swimming Pool Association
Report of Meeting for May 2006

34 people, including a significant number of young people attended the open meeting of the Swimming Pool Association in Kemnay Village Hall on Thursday 18th May.

Jim Piggins opened the meeting with a warm welcome to all.

The meeting began with formal business.

Minutes of the AGM held on 24th March 2005 were adopted, and the Chairman, Simon Copping then gave his Report. He thanked all who took time from their busy schedules to come to the meetings during the last year, and acknowledged new names and faces.

The questionnaire in the Kemnay newsletter received 60 responses and raised some interesting points, including the inconvenience of travel to Inverurie and the length of waiting list for children's swimming lessons. People would generally swim about twice as much if there were a pool in Kemnay. Unfortunately, 60 responses do not make enough noise to make the council listen. We need more feedback!

A "shop counter" survey - a simple petition-style form, but with a few short questions to gauge demand is one option. A few such surveys placed in strategic shops and clubs throughout the village would yield a much better representation.

We also now have a website with an online survey - www.pool4kemnay.co.uk - that we should be advertising more.

Jill Avery, treasurer, gave her report. The only expenditure during the past year had been for the hire of a meeting room, and the Association's funds stand at approximately £2,346.

The 2006-2007 committee was elected and consists of Simon Copping, Jim Piggins, Jill Avery, Corinne McWilliam, Barry Watson, Sophie Wardle, Dorothy Wink, Lesley Grigor.

There was a time of informal discussion at which the following points were raised.
1) Location of future pool:
A logical place for the pool would be at Kemnay Academy. Ground is available, it would be most convenient for pupils' swimming lessons, and there would probably be some cost savings if it were built as part of a planned extension to the Academy, as heating systems etc. could be shared.

2) How can we make it happen?
Aberdeenshire Council have at present no plans for a new pool anywhere as their priority is to upgrading existing swimming pools. Continuing pressure from Kemnay will therefore be required. Aberdeenshire Council's election in May 2007 would be an opportunity to raise the issue of a pool for Kemnay with candidates, and perhaps get some commitment of support.

3) Other Authorities' schemes:
The membership schemes in the Highlands and in Shetland are examples that should be looked into for possible implementation here.

4) What is the likely cost of a pool?
A few years ago, an estimate based on the cost of the Westhill Pool was £1.2 million; inflation is likely to have increased that. Most National Lottery funding schemes would consider funding only up to half the cost of a project, and so a lot of money would have to found from elsewhere. Jim Piggins noted that the move of the headquarters of Sport Scotland from Edinburgh to Glasgow would probably cost more than building a swimming pool!

5) Current swimming arrangements:
People in the meeting currently swim at Inverurie, Alford, Westhill, Aberdeen, Bucksburn and even Elgin which was said to be worth the 50 mile trip.

Kemnay School holds an annual swimming gala, but only children who already swim take part. Children who had put their name on the list for lessons in P2 were now in P4 and still hadn't reached the top of the waiting list! It was felt to be unfair that Kemnay pupils should be deprived of swimming lessons when other schools in Aberdeenshire have them.

6) Future actions:
Ideas for fund raising put forward include: Prize Bingo, Corporate fund-raising, Quiz night, perhaps at the Golf Club, A sports day, Summer fête or Gala Day, Dance or dancing show, Duck race, and Buy a "tile" for the Swimming Pool for £1. It was thought worth while going round the doors in Kemnay with a petition, and asking for a donation at the same time, but the signature itself was the important thing.

Date of Next Meeting - The new Committee will meet in the Wainman Room on Thursday 15^th June 2006. (Committee meetings are open to the public).