Petition to Save Gardyne Sports Centre and  Swimming Pool

Subject: Urgent Request to Revise Decision on Gardyne Sports Centre Swimming Pool Closure

 

We, the undersigned user, and residents of the surrounding area of Gardyne Sports Centre, and residents of Broughty Ferry and the wider Dundee & Angus area, write with deep concern regarding the potential closure of the swimming pool and gym facilities at Dundee and Angus College's Gardyne Campus. We urge you to reconsider this proposal and explore all viable alternatives to keep this essential community facility open.

 

While we understand the college faces challenges regarding the facility's age and running costs, the closure of the Gardyne pool would have severe and far-reaching negative consequences for our community, environment, and public health, which we believe outweigh the immediate financial considerations:

 

1. Critical Geographic Gap & Increased Environmental Impact:

 The Gardyne pool is the only publicly accessible swimming facility located between the private David Lloyd club and Dundee City Centre (Olympia). Its closure would force residents from Broughty Ferry, Barnhill, Monifieth, and surrounding eastern areas to travel significantly further – predominantly by car – to access swimming lessons, recreational swimming, or fitness classes. 

 

This will inevitably:

    * Increase traffic congestion on routes into Dundee city centre.

    * Significantly increase vehicle emissions and air pollution in the area, contradicting environmental sustainability goals and negatively impacting public health.

 

2. Fundamental Community Hub & Social Equity: Gardyne Sports Centre is not just a college facility; it is a vital **community asset. It provides affordable and accessible leisure opportunities for people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Closing it would:

    * Disproportionately impact lower-income families and individuals who cannot afford private alternatives like David Lloyd.

    * Remove a key social and recreational hub, increasing isolation and reducing opportunities for community interaction and cohesion.

    * Exacerbate deprivation in the area by removing a key resource that supports physical and mental wellbeing, which is intrinsically linked to social and economic opportunity.

 

3. Severe Impact on Mental Health and Wellbeing: Access to local, affordable exercise facilities like the Gardyne pool is crucial for maintaining physical and mental health. Swimming is a particularly valuable low-impact exercise accessible to many, including those with mobility issues or chronic conditions. Closure would:

    * Remove a vital outlet for stress relief and mental wellbeing for countless individuals.

    * Hinder community health initiatives and reduce opportunities for physical activity, potentially leading to worsening public health outcomes.

    * Overall Negatively impacting the wellbeing of the community considering that also the Craigie high swimming pool and gym will be closed soon.

 

4. Underutilised Potential & Alternative Solutions: We believe the decision for closure may be premature without fully exploring solutions:

    * Marketing & Awareness: There is a strong feeling within the community that the centre's potential, particularly its pool and gym facilities, have been underexploited due to insufficient advertising and promotion. A proactive marketing campaign targeting the local community could significantly increase membership and usage.

    * Financial Adjustments: We understand costs are high. However, before closure, we urge the college to seriously consider a modest increase in membership or usage fees. The community values this facility highly and many users would be willing to pay slightly more to secure its future, recognising it still offers significant value compared to alternatives. Other creative funding models or partnerships should also be investigated.

    * Community Consultation: A full 30-day review should actively seek and incorporate solutions proposed by the user base and local community.

 

**Our Request:**

 

We implore Dundee and Angus College to:

1. Halt any decision to close the Gardyne Sports Centre swimming pool.

2. Commit to a transparent and collaborative review that actively seeks input from users, staff, and the local community on viable solutions to keep the pool open.

3. Immediately explore and implement measures such as enhanced marketing, strategic partnerships, and a reasonable fee adjustment before resorting to closure.

4. Recognise the immense social, environmental, and health value of this facility to the wider community, beyond its immediate commercial balance sheet.

 

Closing the Gardyne pool is not simply shutting down a college facility; it is removing a lifeline for community health, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability in East Dundee. We urge you to prioritise the long-term wellbeing of the community you serve and work with us to find a solution that preserves this vital asset.

 

We respectfully request a meeting to discuss these concerns and potential alternatives before the final decision on June 16th.

Sincerely,

 

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