Interesting article in the Yorkshire Post, written by Bill Bridges, on the tensions that exist between the funding for the Olympics and the funding for grass roots sport. There seems every likelihood at the moment that grass roots sport will be impoverished by the Bacchanalian 'feast' at Stratford which still has four years to run.
This affects all sport of course, but since swimming pools have already suffered a funding drought over the last 20 years there is little hope that the situation will improve. Outdoor pools are even lower in Sport England's food chain so be prepared to really stand up and fight for the one nearest you. All the traditional campaigning methods need to come into play, but in addition to that, a close scrutiny of your council's leisure policies and housing plans is recommended. Leisure facilities have no statutory protection; if they are not "Listed" as some of the historic lidos are, then they can be closed on the strength of one or two committee meetings, without consultation and without warning. Vigilance is the only answer here: council minutes may appear to be dull and dry but they really are essential reading. Remember, most closures are planned at least a year or two in advance; by the time you're reading about it in your local paper it's often too late.
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