PARENTS opposed to a new swimming lesson timetable at Thame Leisure Centre, have asked Thame Town Council to intervene.
A row between parents and the management of the TLC, has been brewing since a 50 week programme was imposed to replace the previous 36 week, term-time scheme, against the expressed wishes of many of the parents.
Mrs Linda Newton, speaking to the Policy and Resources committee of the town council on Tuesday, said: “We started this campaign because of the imposed change in swimming lessons, despite our opposition as stated at a meeting with SOLL a month ago.
“SOLL’s actions have left us feeling ignored and frustrated.”
SOLL have offered free public swimming for children who enrol in their lessons but Mrs Newton called this “a sweetener” which would contribute to the projected loss of profit the pool is expected to experience.
She claimed that the extra cost to parents, most of whom she suggested would have other committents and so would not be able to take children for all 50 lessons, would amount to an extra term’s swimming.
Mrs Newton suggested that the ASA’s option of a 40 week programme “would go along way to meet the needs of the people of Thame and help bridge the financial gap.”
She concluded: “We need to ensure that the needs of all parties are listened to, respected and acted upon, not ignored and run rough shod over.”
The committee agreed to request a meeting with Mark Jaggers, of SOLL Leisure, at the earliest opportunity to explain why the decision had been taken without consulting the Town Council, who own the pool.
Cllr Adam Buckland said: “The drive for profit should not come before the needs of the community.”
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