TWO Labour council candidates in Glasgow have come under fire for campaigning to reopen a swimming pool that's already set to welcome people back next month.
Incumbent Garscadden/Scotstounhill councillors Eva Murray and Bill Butler have pledged to get Scotstoun pool reopened on their official campaign leaflets which have been popped through letterboxes over the past few weeks.
But SNP rival candidate Chris Cunningham pointed out on Twitter the pool is actually preparing to reopen next month with swanky new features.
The pool has been shut for two-and-a-half years while undergoing a £2.8 million renovation.
The makeover was supposed to take nine months but was heavily delayed due to the impacts of the pandemic.
Glasgow Life had said it would eventually open earlier this year but had to push it back again "due to issues outwith their control".
However, the pool is set to welcome keen swimmers back in early June featuring a new modern poolside health suite, more lockers and storage space and a renovated changing village.
Cunningham, who is also a sitting councillor, claimed on Twitter the Labour pair's leaflet was "misleading".
Sharing a photo of the front of the leaflet, he said: "I fully respect robust debate in politics and make no claim to being perfect.
"However Labour’s @EvaCMurray and @labour_bill might consider whether this leaflet is misleading. Even a cursory check of the internet shows the pool is being refurbished and will open in June."
I fully respect robust debate in politics and make no claim to being perfect. However Labour’s @EvaCMurray and @labour_bill might consider whether this leaflet is misleading. Even a cursory check of the internet shows the pool is being refurbished and will open in June. pic.twitter.com/saiCzjGdg5
— Chris Cunningham (@dunglasschris) May 2, 2022
Glasgow Club Scotstoun is located next to Scotstoun Stadium, home of Glasgow Warriors rugby union team, and is one of the biggest leisure venues in the city, also playing host to Scotstoun Squash Centre and the National Badminton Centre.
Users of the pool have been frustrated over the length of time it has been out of use, particularly as it was also closed for several months in 2017 for a £750,000 refurbishment.
On the other side of Murray and Butler's leaflet, which was not shared by Cunningham, it states: "The continued closure of the swimming pool at Scotstoun Leisure Centre and the general neglect of our municipal services under the SNP cannot go on.
"Labour councillors will work with the community to get Scotstoun pool re-opened as soon as possible because we know you deserve better than these delays."
Murray told The National the latest reopening date was "not confirmed" and the reason for the delay "had not been made clear".
She said: “The reason the community is concerned about the Scotstoun Pool is that we were told by Glasgow Life that it was re-opening late last year, then it was delayed until April of this year and now it’s expected to open in June this year, but that’s not confirmed.
"But even the reason for the delay hasn’t been made clear. Some have been told it’s a delay in materials for refurbishment, others, a shortage of chlorine as to why it’s not open.
"Because of the uncertainty, some people have been forced to consider extortionate swimming lessons, private pools and others simply priced out altogether.
"In other parts of the city, we’ve seen community centre refurbishments completed but again aren’t yet opened to the public. So people are rightly sceptical of the SNP’s “just trust us” approach to vital community facilities.
"The community are the people leading the re-open campaign, they set it up and as Glasgow Labour councillors we have been proud to support them."
Butler has been approached for comment.
Glasgow Life said on its website: "Following consultation with customers and the local community, Glasgow Life will carry out planned improvement works to the pool area in Glasgow Club Scotstoun.
"The works will see major renovations including a new modern poolside health suite, more lockers and storage space and a renovated changing village.
"In order to facilitate the work, the pool will be required to close to the public for an extended period. We expect to reopen the pool in early June 2022."
