Issue date: 1st March 2010

Labour group leader Cllr Roma Mills has given her backing to a new campaign that is urging the council to rethink its plans for Westminster Lodge. Concerned that the proposed replacement for the aging leisure centre will not meet the growing demand for swimming in the district, local residents have launched a new ‘Pool Too Small’ website to help galvanise support.

Voicing her support for the campaign, Cllr Mills said: “Labour councillors have been arguing for better swimming provision ever since Lib-Dem council leaders first revealed their plans for Westminster Lodge and leisure services across the district. We have to remember that Bricket Wood Sports Centre is being closed and there are still no concrete proposals for replacement facilities in the south of the district. This means there is going to be even greater pressure on Westminster Lodge, yet the proposed pool is shorter than the existing one and will provide next to nothing in terms of extra capacity.”

Cllr Mills, who is also Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for St Albans, believes that the decision to axe the deep water diving and flumes is another major flaw. “These are hugely popular features of the current Westminster Lodge, particularly with children. The demand for school places shows just how quickly the numbers of young people are growing in St Albans, and there is already a real shortage of things for them to do. As well as meeting the demand for swimming space, we should also be keeping the fun in Westminster Lodge.”

The new Pool Too Small campaign website is at: www.pooltoosmall.com

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 Press contact: Roma Mills, 38 Glenferrie Road, St Albans AL1 4JU

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