An update to Council Executive shows a significant increase in available hours for clubs and community use, including for public swimming, at school pools across West Lothian.
The council is continuing to work with West Lothian Leisure (WLL) to maximise the use of school swimming pools, at times when they are not required for core use by schools to deliver the curriculum.
So far, this approach has successfully managed to generate: an 80% increase in group activity hours, including West Lothian Leisure's Learn2Swim programme and fitness classes; a 49% increase in public swimming hours; and a 24% rise in the hours used by swimming clubs.
Public swimming sessions provided by WLL at Deans Community High School, Inveralmond Community High School, both Livingston, and Winchburgh Sports & Wellbeing Hub are set to continue after proving popular.
However, the additional sessions provided at Armadale Academy, Broxburn Academy and the James Young High School in Livingston over September to December 2023 will not be extended due to very low usage figures.
Less than ten individuals made use of the sessions over the four-month period, with an average monthly income of £94 generated. The average monthly cost of delivering these sessions was in excess of £6,750, so it is not sustainable going forward.
