Swimmers sent to pool which faces axe
Dozens of young swimmers were turned away from Dudley Leisure Centre because the pool was full – and told to try closure-haunted Coseley baths instead.
Dozens of young swimmers were turned away from Dudley Leisure Centre because the pool was full – and told to try closure-haunted Coseley baths instead.
Parents arriving at the leisure centre in Wellington Road say they were issued with tickets to join a queue for admission to the pool on a one in, one out basis.
Staff told them they could be waiting between 30 and 90 minutes and suggested Coseley baths, Halesowen Leisure Centre or Stourbridge's Crystal Leisure Centre as alternatives.
Grandmother Linda Turton had travelled to Dudley from her home in Milton Road, Coseley, with four-year-old grandson Ethan Hollington, sister-in-law Sue Turton and her son Joseph, aged 10.
The 56-year-old said: "They told us at reception we could either go to Coseley, Halesowen or Stourbridge.
"It's absolutely disgusting. I think they are rubbing salt in the wound telling us to try Coseley."
Councillor David Stanley, cabinet member for environment and culture on Dudley Council said: "Dudley's pool was extremely busy with free swimmers during the school holidays, but the free swimming offer is also available at the Crystal Leisure Centre, Halesowen and Coseley."
