Mills Observatory Summer Closure - More Budget Cuts Emerge

Over the weekend disturbing news emerged about the Mills Observatory. An article in The Scotsman - Summer Closure of Mills Observatory Ridiculed - revealed that Leisure & Culture Dundee, the arms length organisation that runs libraries, museums, swimming pools and sport halls, has apparently decided to cut back on the summer opening hours of the Observatory. This 'saving' was apparently one of the knock-on effects of the Council's budget last week.

I was surprised and disappointed that the summer closure of the Mills Observatory was being contemplated. This certainly had not been conveyed to us in the budget papers supplied. 

This brings into sharp relief the more limited scope of oversight by elected members when council services are devolved to arms length bodies such as Leisure and Culture Dundee.

The Mills Observatory on Balgay Hill is a unique part of the 'cultural offer' in Dundee. In fact we proudly boast as a city that it is the only full time public observatory in the United Kingdom.  

With the construction of the V&A just round the corner, it is a great pity that other parts of our cultural 'offer' in Dundee are being cut back. This seems counter productive.

Concern that new Olympia Swimming Pool is Operating More Like a Private Sports Club

I have received a complaint from a constituent about the new admissions policy at the Olympia which I understand came into effect on 1st November 2013. 

With regard to access to swimming in the 50 metre pool between 6 - 8 am (the only time the 50m set up is in place) and 8 - 9.30 pm it is apparently necessary to both:

• a Leisure Active member, incurring a minimum charge of £19 per month paid from a bank account and
• apply to Dundee City Council for a National Entitlement Card to use as a swipe card to gain access to Olympia. 

For those that want to swim at these times and in particular swim in Dundee's only 50 metre pool, there is apparently no casual turn up and pay access to Olympia. During these times the Olympia seems to be operating more like a private health club and not like a publicly provided swimming pool.

If my constituent was right, this policy seems discriminatory because many folk in our city could not afford the monthly cost of a Leisure Active membership. It also seems to exclude folk who want to swim lengths and are not members of Swimming Clubs. While access to Olympia is more flexible later in the morning and afternoon, the fifty metre layout is not available during those times.

This seems to be contrary to the public service obligation which follows the Council's investment of £31,5 million in this new facility. As an elected member of the Council that supported the replacement of the Olympia, I didn't think this was what the Council was investing in.

I wrote to Stewart Murdoch in his twin capacities as Managing Director of Leisure and Culture Dundee and Director of Leisure and Communities with the City Council. I asked that, if  indeed this is the new policy at Olympia, he and the board of Dundee Leisure and Culture reconsider this.

In his reply Stewart Murdoch confirmed that Olympia had indeed discontinued the use of paper tickets for early morning swimming for non members although it was exploring the feasibility of a 'swim only' membership. This however doesn't address the issue I have raised. I have asked for a more comprehensive review into access arrangements at Olympia.

Free Easter Manga Workshops for Young Illustrators Next Week

Click on this image to enlarge

Manga illustration workshops are taking place at the Central Library on Monday and Tuesday next week (April 2 and 3).

The free Easter holiday activity is designed for budding illustrators aged 12 and over who are interested in developing their techniques of 'Manga' illustration. Manga is the Japanese word for comics or cartoons.

Tips and hints on drawing techniques will be given by experts.

The workshops run from 10am to 12 noon both days, with advice sessions in the afternoon from 1-3pm.

Limited places are available - phone Dundee 431500 or email kevin.mcginley@leisureandculturedundee.com to book.

More details are available online at http://www.leisureandculturedundee.com

The Central Library is operated by Leisure & Culture Dundee, working in partnership with Dundee City Council.