A PROTEST was held outside Prestwick swimming pool after it was revealed it was among the proposed closures in the recent budget plans.

Last week, the council released “painful but necessary” choices in its approach to set a “balanced” budget for 2018/19.

In a review of sport, leisure and golf provisions, it looked at proposals for both the closure of Prestwick swimming pool and the reduction of swimming pool opening hours to “reflect customer demand”.

No decisions have been made on these proposals as of yet, however, if it was to be given the green light, all sport, leisure and golf provisions would come into effect by 2018/19, saving South Ayrshire Council £225,147 during that time period and also saving £119,162 during 2019/20.

Jim Ronney, Chairman for Prestwick North Community Council (PNCC), commented: “I have been aware of the proposals for a limited period and I have been quite shocked at some of these proposals.

“The proposed closure of Prestwick Swimming Pool, the closure of all public toilets and the closure of the customer centre adjacent to to Freemans Hall are all extreme measures which will be discussed at an emergency meeting of Prestwick North Community Council [this] week.”

A peaceful protest was held outside the towns swimming pool on Friday, December 8, with over 20 people opposing the proposal.

Mike Tomlinson, Vice-Chairman for PNCC, who turned up in swim shorts and flip flops to show his support for keeping the pool open, said: “The Prestwick Community Councils are going to be objecting to these proposals - I think my approach is if more people use the facilities, that would generate more income and that would hopefully keep the pool open. 

“It is down to the community to use them more. Fundamentally the council should be supporting this facility for the community in Prestwick and the community should use it a bit more - swimming has got health benefits - when you are swimming you are doing something for yourself.”

Many of those who came along to the demonstration had one thought one their mind - to keep the “iconic” building running.

One resident said: “The teaching children who come here to swim is a life skill - it is a whole community and it encourages children to come here, to keep them active.”

Another resident, added: “This is just terrible - the swimming pool is something that has always been here.

"We had to fight to get the indoor pool after they closed the outdoor one - it took years to get it. It would be such a loss for us. It is iconic for the town.”