Southern Pool's Board disputes claims from education minister

Says plans for new CRHS, from Nov 23, showed no funding available for pool 

The Southern Swimming Pool Board says any stress and anxiety its staff experienced due to the potential closure of the pool was caused by government and not by a leaked letter revealing the plan.

It's responded after the Education, Sport and Culture Minister Julie Edge appeared on Manx Radio yesterday (22 January). 

You can listen to what she said HERE. 

Today the pool's board has issued a statement claiming the plans for Castle Rushen High School, published in November last year, said no decision had been made over a replacement pool.

It adds the pool was not in the "master plan" as funding was unavailable.

However it's welcomed the minister's pledge that a six-lane pool does now feature in the designs.

It also says the board did not request any additional funding from her department aside from the usual annual subvention.

Ms Edge suggested HR support was available for staff members affected by the decision but the pool's board says while that was offered, in the initial meeting, it hasn't been forthcoming despite a follow up request.

The board adds it hopes Tynwald will approve the continuation of the annual subvention to the Southern Pool until the new facility is open.