Grove Swimming Pool Sunday Closure

Leisure and Culture Dundee announced in a Facebook posting last Friday that Sunday swimming at Grove Academy has been cancelled for the foreseeable future. I was concerned when I heard about this from a constituent. It was clear that a service was being denied for members of Leisure and Culture Dundee as well as for those who turn up for an occasional swim on a Sunday. It is all very well directing swimmers to other pools in the city but that is not necessarily a feasible nor convenient option. I contacted Stewart Murdoch, Director of Leisure and Culture Dundee. He clarified that the closure had been necessitated by a lack of qualified life guards. A number had left at the same time and it would take a while to recruit replacements. In many cases the potential life guards would need to be put through the qualifying training programmes before they were available to start work. Clearly Leisure and Culture Dundee have been caught unprepared at a time when they should have been working towards an expansion of their pool of qualified life guards. Leisure and Culture Dundee are soon to assume responsibility for managing the swimming pool at the new Harris Academy but right now can't quite keep all their current pools open. I have asked for a date when Sunday opening of the Grove Academy pool resumes.

Community Open Day at Grove Swim & Sport Saturday 17 January 2015 10am-5pm

Dundee Library Service Wins 'Library of the Year Award'

Last night, at the national Bookseller award ceremony in London, Dundee Library and Information Service won the UK 'Library of the Year Award'.

The award was jointly shared with the Library Service of Devon.

Judges praised Dundee Library Service's impressive digital participation programme. The award particularly singles out the Central Library for its innovation and the way in which it delivers a uniquely integrated range of services to its customers.  

The Dundee Central Library has been Scotland's busiest library for several years running and its current response to those facing the need for IT support in relation to benefit changes, the programmes it runs for adults with learning difficulties, its open access internet, and its continuing role as an accessible, friendly and welcoming public library, have all contributed.

Broughty Ferry Library is the busiest branch library in Dundee. In addition to lending books, library staff support events for every sector of our community from the youngest at Baby Rhyme Time to reminiscence projects for older residents.  They also act as a community hub hosting meetings of the Community Council, provide access to computers and free WiFi and help with homework.

Congratulations to all of the staff in our Library Service for continuing to make libraries a relevant public service available in every area and to every age group in our city.  

Help Shape the Future of Leisure and Culture in Dundee

Dundee City Council is in the process of establishing a new charitable organisation:
Leisure & Culture Dundee which will manage the following services:

• Library and Information Services
• Arts and Heritage Services
• Halls and Music Development
• Swim and Leisure Centres
• Sports Development
• Golf and Camperdown Wildlife Centre

The City Council is seeking applications from suitable individuals interested in becoming trustees of this exciting new organisation. If you believe that you have the skills, experience and enthusiasm to contribute to the running of the charity and its governance, as one of seven independent, unpaid trustees, please contact Ann Allardice to request an application pack in writing or by e-mailing:

Ann Allardice
Level 3, Central Library
The Wellgate
Dundee DD1 1DB
Email ann.allardice@dundeecity.gov.uk