Concerns raised over poolside changing cubicles as part of refurbishment of Edinburgh's Portobello swim centre
“It’s really sad to think that competitive swimming and water polo at Porty swim centre might have to end after more than a century” - Lorraine Brown
Plans to introduce poolside changing cubicles as part of a £7.5 million refurbishment of Edinburgh's Portobello swim centre have come under fire from regular users.
Portobello Amateur Swimming Club (PASC) says the move would make the venue unviable for competitive swimming and water polo, as well as presenting safeguarding risks for younger swimmers.
Edinburgh Leisure, which runs the centre, has put forward two design options for the revamp and is asking the public for their views in a consultation which closes on Sunday, June 7.
Both options involve relocating the gym from the ground floor upstairs to an expanded area incorporating the existing studio, former café and meeting rooms.
One option would move the fitness studio downstairs to the current gym location and leave the changing rooms where they are.
But the other option would move the fitness studio to the current changing village and move the changing rooms to the current gym location with the addition of changing cubicles at the poolside.
The refurbishment of the Category A-listed building, a much-loved landmark on Portobello prom, will also protect the Victorian Turkish bath, one of only three remaining in Scotland.
PASC said poolside cubicles would make water polo matches and swimming competitions impossible at Portobello due to the space required for officials, swimmers, water polo substitutes and coaches as well as the need or safe circulation for competitors.
Club officials said it would also compromise safety for training sessions due to restricted circulation for coaches and lifeguards. And they said it would allow mean adults could be changing in the poolside cubicles during junior training sessions, prompting safeguarding concerns.
PASC president Ali Smith said: “We support the refurbishment of the swim centre, and we welcome the opportunity to consult on this. However, there are fundamental issues with one of the plans which would make it difficult for us to continue to operate the club from there.
“So we’re encouraging our own members and the wider community to help us by responding to the consultation and express their preference for the option that leaves the pool changing rooms where they are and does not have cubicles on poolside.”
And Lorraine Brown, vice-president of the club and lead water polo coach, added: “Scottish Swimming’s safeguarding policy highlights the real, recurring risk of harmful behaviour and imagery in changing areas and the need for strict controls.
“Edinburgh Leisure now expects clubs like ours to provide all life guarding cover for all-pool hires. Poolside cubicles would mean that club lifeguards would become responsible for unsupervised adult access to the poolside, distracting them from the safeguarding of junior swimmers and water polo players.
“It’s really sad to think that competitive swimming and water polo at Porty Swim Centre might have to end after more than a century if the plans that include cubicles on poolside are adopted.”
The club is also worried there may be a threat to the pool’s moveable floor which allows the shallow end to disappear and make way for an “all deep” pool, which is necessary for water polo. PASC says it understands the intention is to replace like for like with a new moveable floor but it is subject to a funding agreement with the city council.
Alan Anderson, an ex-international GB water polo player, said: “Water polo requires an all-deep pool and poolside space for officials and teams. Portobello swim centre was the first Edinburgh Leisure pool to provide this and the club and sport has flourished since it was installed.
“Removing this would be a degradation of the facility and take us back to Victorian days. If the moveable floor is not retained at the pool, it will end water polo at Portobello and would be to the significant detriment to children's participation in the sport across the city. “
A spokeswoman for Edinburgh Leisure said they waiting until after the public consultation had finished before finalising the designs.
She said: “We've been talking to different groups that use the centre to get as many opinions as possible. We’re taking all the comments and requests into account. Safeguarding is, of course, our top priority. We want to hear from everybody.”
She confirmed there would be a new moveable floor, but said its specifications had not been finalised.
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