Residents call to fully reopen Glasgow Easterhouse swimming pool

Almost 1000 people have signed an online petition to return the Easterhouse Swimming Pool to its full capacity.

Gerry Baldwin, from Blairtummock and Rogerfield Partnership, started the appeal.

Easterhouse resident Mandy Morgan with Gerry Baldwin (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

The group carried out a post-Covid survey to see what people were interested in taking part in and found there was an increased appetite to take part in community events and events that involve other people.

Mr Baldwin said: “There was also a big increase in interest to take part in exercise, like swimming, walking groups and men sheds.

“We started to look around the resources that were available and noticed that even three years later, the pool is hardly open.

“It’s barely open during the week and even the sessions which are running, you had to book in advance.

“The petition is currently sitting at just over 1000 online and probably the same amount on paper."

Before it was closed during the pandemic, the campaigners said the pool was a well-used asset, running classes and operating several amenities.

Local people feel it is an important social and health hub and are frustrated that it is not being used to its full potential.

The campaigner said: “Easterhouse Pool seems to have run, up until very recently, on Covid restrictions. It was a pool that was open, only 12 people were allowed and you had to book in advance."

Amenities like the slide and sauna have not reopened, leaving the residents feeling disappointed with an underused facility.

He added: “We are in the school holidays at the moment and the kids can’t use the pool, it’s not open enough, older people’s provision is not happening and family time is no longer.

“There is, of course, the benefit of exercise, especially as you get older, swimming can be very beneficial.

“There is also no other place to learn to swim in the local community, which is hugely important.

"We realise there are issues with funding but the alternatives in the long run are worse.

"It’s going to cost us more in other services, such as healthcare."

Easterhouse resident Mandy Morgan with Gerry Baldwin (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: “Due to budget restrictions we are unable to extend opening hours at the venue.

"The savings that Glasgow Life is having to make this year – which add up to around 9% of the annual service fee the charity receives from Glasgow City Council – ensure we will not have to close any of our venues.

"Wherever possible, we have identified ways of making savings by reducing, rather than losing, Glasgow Life services, programmes and events, so that we retain the potential to recover them in the future.”

The petition can be seen here.