Swimming pool campaign launched to encourage community access
A campaign to support the building of a swimming pool at the University of York for students, staff and residents in the local community has been launched.
‘Save Our Swimming! Campaign for a Heslington Swimming Pool, dubbed ‘SOS’, has been set up by ex-Labour Club and Union Council Chair, David Levene, who was inspired after “reading about the coalition government stopping free swimming for children and the elderly, continuing problems of swimming provision in the city and concerns over community access.”
Levene has since contacted the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Estates and Strategic Projects, Elizabeth Heaps, about the proposed pool. She confirmed that “the plans for the swimming pool and associated fitness centre and outdoor sports facilities are well advanced and are currently going through an approvals process within the University and City of York Council,” and that “the swimming pool has been planned all along to provide access to the community.”
Levene sees Heaps’ response as “positive”.
Levene continued: “I am a supporter of there being a University Swimming Pool as soon as possible for students, staff and members of the public to use. It would have been great to use such a facility while I was a student. I have launched a campaign to push for the pool and I am seeking greater guarantees from the University over community access.”
He believes that “community access is the right thing to do” and that “it will make the project more viable and more likely to happen as this could address some concerns over the project.”
Councillor James Alexander also confirmed to Levene that he is meeting Heaps on August 1, where he will be updated on developments. Levene contacted Councillor Alexander after concerns over his comments to the York Press about community access to the pool.
Levene said: “I believe if the University gave greater guarantees over community access then the proposed swimming pool project would be more viable as most could agree on the project.”
If you would like to find out more about the campaign, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119749674737107&ref=ts
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If anyone would like to join the Facebook group, it’s at:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119749674737107
How has Levene done anything here?
He emailed someone in the university, and they said they were already doing it. Good. Well done Dave.
Not a surprise to see Laura Connor writing an advert for David Levene. Good to see Nouse’s editorial integrity is always paramount.
What next?
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Who cares if the people involved in making this article are friends? It’s fantastic news to hear that York University may soon have a swimming pool and I fully support David’s stance on the issue.
This pool has been part of York councils plans since before most of us came to university.