Loss of swim pool a blow to children who want to stay fit and elderly who want to stay healthy

I’M writing to express my sadness at the news that Baltimore is to lose its swimming pool and gym as part of the closure of the Baltimore Hotel and leisure complex at the end of this month.

This pool has been part of the community for 11 years and is used by very many people.

Year after year children have learnt to swim there and have spent hours having fun and keeping fit during their school holidays.

A requirement of all sailing programmes these days is that children have to be able to swim and as Baltimore is an important sailing hub, it is vital that all local children have this skill if they are to be a part of the sailing programmes.

Upwards of 350 children a term pass through the centre and when news of the closure came a further six schools had to have their swimming classes cancelled.

They will be hard-pressed to find other centres as demand for classes is at a premium and pools are few and far between in west Cork.

The county council, for example, runs one pool in west Cork, in Dunmanway, which is very far for bus loads of young children to travel from the areas around Baltimore and further west.

The closure of the pool will leave a big gap in the social lives of many elderly people who come to the centre to take aqua aerobics classes and meet their friends. It’s a social occasion that helps keep mind and body active. Many of these people have mobility problems and the pool is a valuable resource run by staff who are trained to work with them on various programmes.

The pool is also used by many locals who train for all sorts of events, from the local triathlon and road races to just keeping fit.

Even just meeting a friend for a gentle paddle can be a great escape for weary mums and dads and a great way to shed weight. The centre has a well-equipped gym and, for real relaxation, a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and spa bath.

The pool, above all, gives a quality of life to all who use it. West Cork suffers from a lack of facilities like pools, cinemas and other recreational facilities. In Baltimore, the post office and garda station were closed many years ago. Losing this little gem of a pool would be a further nail in the coffin for this community and the surrounding area.

I hope something can be done to save it.

Jacqueline Cotter

Gortnaclohy Heights

Skibbereen

Co Cork