A REDDITCH swimming club for people with a disability has been left high and dry in the wake of Kingsley Pool shutting.
Redditch Otters Swimming Club had been using the facility for more than 30 years.
However faced with cuts in its grant from central government, the borough council was forced to surrender its interests in both Kingsley Sports Centre and Arrow Vale Sports Centres last year.
This resulted in the pool at Kingsley closing, forcing those clubs which used it to find a slot at the Abbey Stadium pool.
“We tried the Abbey and basically what they offered was not any good for disabled swimmers,” said club chairman Rod Spooner.
“We have people who cannot go out of their depth so we need to do widths but no one could offer us that.
“Also we could use the pool at Kingsley for free while they wanted to charge us at the Abbey.”
Over the years the club has had some 300 members of all age groups.
Rod has been chairman for 20 years and got involved after having two hip replacements.
“Swimming means everything for the people in this club,” he said.
“It’s sociable, reduces isolation and is good exercise. We’re always told we have to exercise more to reduce the strain on the NHS.
“We have a town of 80,000 people here and yet we can do nothing for disabled swimmers.”
Rod is asking club members to get in touch with him – he can be contacted on 01527 544466.
A spokesperson for Redditch Borough Council said: “Redditch Otters were offered a variety of options at Abbey Stadium.
“This included use of the small pool and main pool where they could swim widths and lengths.
“Unfortunately due to demand we were unable to offer the identical time they had previously at Kingsley Sports Centre.
“On a positive note some of the participants are continuing to swim during public swim times and we also provide subsidised sessions for disabled residents.
