Under Caerphilly Council’s new decision to cut Cefn Fforest Sports Centre’s operating hours morning pool sessions are no longer available.
The reduced opening hours came into play on September 1and have left many locals irritated by this decision.
From this week the opening hours will be Monday – Friday: 4pm – 8pm. Saturday-Sunday: 9am – 1pm.
Last weekend, early morning swimmers gathered at the pool for a ‘farewell’ morning swim session.
Tim Morris and the other early morning swimmers gathering for the last early morning swim session at Cefn Fforest Leisure Centre (Image: Tim Morris) Avid swimmer Tim Morris 65 said: “It makes no sense to any of us. There’s thirty to forty people every day that use early morning swim and it’s quite a strong part of the swimming community.
“We all know how important exercise is and we all know about the benefits of an early morning swim. Overall, two hundred people drop in and out over the week.”
Tim explained that people are now considering travelling elsewhere to access earlier pool times.
He said: “The other option now is to trek up to Bargoed or Newbridge and it’s travel in the morning you don’t want to do.
“There’s a group for children with disabilities that go there on a Saturday morning, and they are going to lose that.”
The cuts follow a recent council cabinet decision and are part of the Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2019-2029.
“It’s not fair and it’s not reasonable. You can’t treat people like this they’ve said (Caerphilly Council) they’d had discussions, but I don’t think so. They’ve alienated all the people that use the leisure centre.”
Kevin Ethridge added he is going to file a freedom of information request asking to see the contents of council’s discussions regarding this decision.
Caerphilly Council were contacted for comment regarding this matter.
A council spokesperson said: “The council’s constitution clearly states that ‘a decision on a report which has already been the subject of pre-decision scrutiny cannot be called in’, which is the case with this recent cabinet decision.”
“The proposal to close Cefn Fforest Leisure Centre was also subject to a significant consultation, allowing all interested parties to provide feedback.
“Whilst the reduction in opening hours was not specifically consulted upon, the public response was overwhelmingly in favour of keeping the leisure centre open. Therefore, the cabinet decision reflects this feedback, offering a compromise position allowing the centre to remain open, while delivering financial savings.”
