A FATHER AND HIS TWO CHILDREN ARE TURNED AWAY FROM LAGOON

Monday, 13th July 2009

- Current safety guidelines are not being applied –

Alan Docherty was shocked when he and his two daughters were turned away from Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley recently during the school holidays. The reason given he was with his two daughters who are less than 8 years old.

Click here to watch Ms Alexander’s video interview with Mr Docherty

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The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) set guidelines on the ratio of parents to children when using swimming pools. Wendy Alexander MSP took up Alan’s case with the Sports Minister Shona Robison MSP. The ISRM believe that 1 adult can safely guard two children under 8, where one or both may be under of 4. It is for individual pool owners to decide whether to apply these guidelines. The Minister urged Wendy to take up the issue with the local Council.

Alan’s children are 6 years old and 21 months old. So the guidelines suggest that Alan should be able to use Lagoon pool perfectly safely. Commenting on the effect felt by his children from being turned away from his local pool, Alan said

“In a country where heart disease is rife, where childhood obesity is a problem and children go through life without reasonable levels of exercise this use of guidelines is ridiculous and it is stopping children from getting much needed exercise.”

“Swimming is great exercise. But how can my children learn to swim properly if I can’t take them to the swimming pool to learn?”

“I am more than able to look after my own children. In fact my children are probably safer with me than dozens of children watched over by three or four lifeguards.”

Local MSP Wendy Alexander said:

“It is clear that Alan and his two daughters were turned away from Lagoon Leisure Centre even though the updated Health and Safety guidelines suggest that he should be able to use the swimming pool.”

“This is not right. We should be encouraging our children to be healthy and active. Turning families away like this is just silly.”

“I have written to Joyce McKellar, Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Leisure asking her to put matters right as soon as possible and publicise the new policy to local parents.”