tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post8656844043369046831..comments2023-11-05T12:04:50.649+00:00Comments on COUNCILLOR ANDREW BURNS' REALLY BAD BLOG: Leith Waterworld (a) Progress on Community Bid and (b) Potential Sale of Leith WaterworldAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01684349200288599810noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-49002065299160775012013-06-01T11:53:15.078+01:002013-06-01T11:53:15.078+01:00Viewed from 100yds this may be a bad outcome but v...Viewed from 100yds this may be a bad outcome but viewed from a 100miles well it is the correct decision.Not that anyone likes to see community action thwarted but the ongoing costs of operating a leisure pool would have been too big a burden. The hard reflection here for a newish council was not to stick to its original plan and close for good last year, the false hopes was a bit of a cop out.Stick to your strategy and move on. On a wider point Edinburgh deserves more money from central govt for sports facilities, £100 spend per head in Glasgow £30 per head in Edinburgh I believe, Andrew please raise this with your SNP partners and seek some answers.<br />By the way some of the coments about the Commonwealth pool are bit off the mark we should be proud of it and not judge it as a leisure pool , if its a swim you want try Leith Vic or Porty or Glenogle none are that far from Leith.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-29932127198266160402013-05-30T15:07:43.228+01:002013-05-30T15:07:43.228+01:00It is deeply disappointing that this decision has ...It is deeply disappointing that this decision has been taken. I can only reiterate the thoughts of many on here that there is absolutely no need for another softplay but a huge need for a facility of this kind, It is shameful that the entire city of Edinburgh will have no such facility and shameful on those making this decison that they cannot see the bigger picture and the wider benefits to all in the community that Leith Waterworld can provide. Think again and reconsider Councillor Burns - because people will very definitely remember these decisions at election time.W Scottnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-18799437854506383172013-05-30T00:49:24.992+01:002013-05-30T00:49:24.992+01:00You keep saying 'keep comments civil'. Com...You keep saying 'keep comments civil'. Comments <i>are</i> generally civil. May I suggest that you seem to be trying to tar all negative comments as simply 'uncivil'. It's just a little transparent. I do hope I was being polite enough. Wouldn't want to lack any 'civility'. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-69964738308897248732013-05-29T23:21:52.153+01:002013-05-29T23:21:52.153+01:00Please reconsider this atrocious decision. The adm...Please reconsider this atrocious decision. The administration your council leads can always find money for elite sporting facilities such as the EICC and the Commonwealth Pool. <br /><br />But what has never been made clear is why ordinary families should pay for these things? Or why Leith should pay the price for the mismanagement and cost overruns of the Commonwealth Pool renovation? Especially after the collapse of the tram project.<br /><br />There is no equivalent, affordable facility in Edinburgh, and another tedious corporate soft play is no substitute. <br /><br />What signal does this decision send to people who genuinely worked their backsides off, for free, to try to find a way to re-open Leith Waterworld? Anyone would think the administration you lead is actively trying to discourage people from trying to improve their community or engage in the political system. <br /><br />Never voting Labour or SNP again. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-33921352511965893852013-05-29T23:17:00.543+01:002013-05-29T23:17:00.543+01:00Oh well, at least our kids will know what to do if...Oh well, at least our kids will know what to do if they fall into a canal full of plastic balls or a fast moving river of foam.neill hopenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-54501126000532868262013-05-29T23:07:21.679+01:002013-05-29T23:07:21.679+01:00Are you aware that your own Edinburgh Leisure is o...Are you aware that your own Edinburgh Leisure is opening a large soft play facility only two miles away from Leith? If your plan is to make money, then this decision makes no sense as you'll be selling off your own market share as well as a valuable and unique community asset. Also, the news is that the Edinburgh Leisure soft play facility is going to be built inside Portobello Indoor Bowls centre - so disabled people, children and now elder people are to lose out as another unique and well loved facility is to be decimated. Seriously, are the council at all informed about it's own plans? I can't see how ANY of this makes sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-7949124600762388662013-05-29T23:04:12.635+01:002013-05-29T23:04:12.635+01:00What an absolute disgrace. I have a 5 month old an...What an absolute disgrace. I have a 5 month old and have to travel out of Edinburgh to take him swimming because all of Edinburgh's pools are too cold and have no fun features. For the many parents who don't have access to transport or like me can't afford the expensive private swimming classes for babies, this is a real blow. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-57432960386429556162013-05-29T22:10:34.369+01:002013-05-29T22:10:34.369+01:00I agree with so many comments above. Why does Lei...I agree with so many comments above. Why does Leith need another soft play option? The Council keeps referring to other swimming options in Edinburgh but which other pools provide the sloping access and shallow areas that were so beneficial to young children and the less mobile at Waterworld. Both my girls (age 3 and 5) are confident in the water and that is in no small way due to the experience they had at Waterworld being able to run in and out of the water to a depth they were comfortable with. So often I saw disabled people there with their carers - able to access the water much more independently than in conventional pools. In closing this facility I would question any claim by Edinburgh City Council's to operate on an inclusive basis. Re-emphasise that another softplay is not needed while a pool facility of this type most certainly is. It is an embarrassment that a city such as Edinburgh does not have such a facility. SLightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-67703952568666991892013-05-29T21:46:32.260+01:002013-05-29T21:46:32.260+01:00Hi Andrew,
I'm glad there is a place to post ...Hi Andrew,<br /><br />I'm glad there is a place to post our comments as we feel that there is no real outlet for our voices to be heard. As you can tell, there is a real depth of feeling in the community and this is something that is devasting to be ignored on. <br /><br />As the parents of two small children we miss the valuable pool that actually catered to them. A warm, exciting and fun pool that was suitable for families, one we were never turned away from (sorry Commie, but you just don't seem to have the space) and most importantly, a pool that children are really excited about visiting. An 'inspiring' pool that children beg to visit. Since it closed, we've had some chilly experiences in other pools and swimming has been completely sidelined as the enthusiasm has gone.<br /><br />Edinburgh NEEDS (not just wants) a family orientated, fun, warm swimming pool that locals can walk and take the bus to. We are a capital city - why can't the council provide the associated services for our community? The proposal to subsidise primary children with swimming lessons in no way makes up for the loss of Leith Waterworld. And we would 100% agree with the many other comments stating that Leith doesn't need another soft play centre.<br /><br />Please, please reconsider. I'm not sure the Edinburgh community can take many more knocks from our council.Katrina Walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-70850982010436992612013-05-29T21:40:02.674+01:002013-05-29T21:40:02.674+01:00Is trust only worth £1m?
Is CEC SO hard up that i...Is trust only worth £1m?<br /><br />Is CEC SO hard up that it needs the money NOW?<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-75994221377271435732013-05-29T21:36:27.536+01:002013-05-29T21:36:27.536+01:00I am afraid this whole sorry state of affairs, lik...I am afraid this whole sorry state of affairs, like the trams, leaves Leith as the poor relation. But, worse still, as others have pointed out, this was a unique facility for a family friendly city, that once sold and converted will likely never be replaced. Although a supporter of the Splashback bid, I understood the killing blow to have been delivered some years back, when shortsightedness sacrificed an expensive BUT genuine family facility for the sake of wider leisure interests. We now have the "fun factory" that is the Commie - expensive, busy and cold. The worst I can threaten is the withdrawal of my vote, which is exactly what I will do in relation to any individual or party that support the Coalition motion.Arthur Duncannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-80950872630861167442013-05-29T21:35:02.982+01:002013-05-29T21:35:02.982+01:00Notwithstanding going back on your word with splas...Notwithstanding going back on your word with splashback. Have you considered the effect a new soft play centre will have on the existing facilities? Taking away business from small family run business 'Clownaround' and damaging profits of the declining Ocean Terminal's 'Maddie and Marks Playtown'? This is a rotten decision. Go-karts???! Our children need EXERCISE not sitting in a car. Can I assume that when this venture goes bust, the abandoned Go-Kart track will be used as a shooting gallery for the citizens of Leith you have failed, just like in the 80s?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08961736493689883408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-74128415264261641902013-05-29T21:28:48.827+01:002013-05-29T21:28:48.827+01:00I feel sorry for Splashback for the fact they have...I feel sorry for Splashback for the fact they have put so much time and effort into trying to get the LWW re-opening to happen, but I have always been curious as to how the re-opening could actually work.<br /><br />Waterworld needed MILLIONS ploughed into it - the place was falling to bits. (much more than the £2 million that has been bandied about). It needed an entire new plant room sooner rather than later, and most of the facilities had completely stopped working. The River Run did not even operate for the last few months of Waterworld being open because a replacement pump was too expensive.<br /><br />I would have loved to see Waterworld restored to glory but it just was not going to happen with a Community Bid - I would rather see it go completely than a half-hearted attempt to reopen that falls on its face when the money doesn't stretch far enough. How Splashback could have ever come up with a commercially viable bid is beyond me. The pool's operating costs were massive - staffing levels had to be as high as they were to legally lifeguard the pool area properly - that isn't going to change. At least the facility will still benefit children and isn't just getting turned into a Tesco petrol station or something equally horrible.<br /><br />The Commie is a brilliant facility and yes, the queues for the warm teaching pool can be long but plenty of people had to queue to get into Waterworld at the weekends too. <br /><br />It's gutting for Splashback and Leith but I think it's time people got realistic here - there are plenty of brilliant public pools in Edinburgh that might not tick every box but are still great facilities (far better than some other areas of Scotland).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-46761973235870994402013-05-29T21:13:38.192+01:002013-05-29T21:13:38.192+01:00Thanks for the continuing comments - I am/will rea...Thanks for the continuing comments - I am/will read through them all, and I do appreciate people taking the time to leave their thoughts ...<br /><br />... but, I've asked a couple of times now, can we please keep them civil (the majority are, I know!).<br /><br />As long-standing readers of my blog know, I have a completely unmoderated approach - and I want to keep it that way ...<br /><br />... implicit claims of corruption etc. which are creeping into some comments are totally unsubstantiated and please refrain from making such false assertions.<br /><br />Many thanks ...<br /><br />... all that said, PLEASE do keep commenting :-)<br /><br />AndrewAndrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01684349200288599810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-41058912448783025872013-05-29T21:07:00.699+01:002013-05-29T21:07:00.699+01:00This is simply stupid and extremely narrow minded ...This is simply stupid and extremely narrow minded decision. <br /><br />You could sell your soul if you could (I dont mean you personally Andrew but you as a part of a group of politicians)!!!<br /><br />Its beyond believable that this is happening in capital off Scotland, it feels more like middle of Russia<br /><br />Anna MKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-21824599410778716722013-05-29T21:05:20.075+01:002013-05-29T21:05:20.075+01:00It is high time we abandoned the idea that facilit...It is high time we abandoned the idea that facilities have to be completely financially self sustaining. I can think of no better use of tax payers money than to subsidise sports facilities. A place for young people to gather and encouraging a healthier lifestyle. Win win for the community. Come on, we can do better.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11013045710000609235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-72560630717971599632013-05-29T20:52:27.637+01:002013-05-29T20:52:27.637+01:00"£125,000 to fund swimming programmes for pri...<i>"£125,000 to fund swimming programmes for primary school children in Edinburgh "</i><br /><br />How magnanimous when they're getting over a million for the building. <br /><br /><br /> Being able to swim should be an absolute minimum being able to enjoy the water such as at LWW should be a worthy enough goal. There is no where in Edinburgh where kids can play in the pool. They'll make their own entertainment in places like Dalry and the Commy but its not the same as flumes and a wave machine. Steven McGregornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-68684035071658804082013-05-29T20:50:14.270+01:002013-05-29T20:50:14.270+01:00Is it true that the owner of A&G Group is a fr...Is it true that the owner of A&G Group is a friend of someone with a position of influence in this decision? What are the plans for Tesco car park? Pay & Display??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-54469580376242248062013-05-29T20:36:23.316+01:002013-05-29T20:36:23.316+01:00Absoluty disgusting. Edinburgh City Council keep m...Absoluty disgusting. Edinburgh City Council keep making the wrong decisions. Shutting schools and then converting old huts for full P1 intakes, bus lane cameras and don't get me started on the vanity project the trams.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-91540675883101461632013-05-29T20:07:32.539+01:002013-05-29T20:07:32.539+01:00Cllr Burns
It certainly seems like the past 4 mon...Cllr Burns<br /><br />It certainly seems like the past 4 months in which I and other members of the Splashback team devoted really significant amounts of time (how many hours??) and effort to negotiate Council procurement procedures and attempt the drag the CEC into a meaningful co-operative effort with the community has been a huge waste of time on my behalf. <br /><br />Personally speaking (I am not speaking on behalf of the group I've been working with), I am angry and hugely frustrated that you are willing to sell a community asset out from under us just when we had stated to make real progress, despite the agreement to invest more in swimming for children.<br /><br />I feel that the Council has treated us exceptionally poorly. The terms of the January amendment have been completely disregarded to the community's detriment and you have allowed yourself to be dictated to by an arbitrary timetable laid down by a commercial interest that sought to remove us from the process. <br /><br />We have been denied the time promised to us to develop the bid and also denied an opportunity to put forward a counter bid. The inability of Councillor's to stand up to officers intent to sell has been shocking.<br /><br />I won't be in the Chamber tomorrow, but imagine me giving you a slow handclap from somewhere in the city when you overturn your fine words of a few months ago. It turns out a Council is only committed to a community until a private company bat's it lashes.<br /><br />A full statement will be released by Splashback later this evening. These are my own views.Fiona Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-11476666302430471142013-05-29T19:49:21.165+01:002013-05-29T19:49:21.165+01:00How deeply short sighted and sad. There is no equi...How deeply short sighted and sad. There is no equivalent to Waterworld in Edinburgh it draws people to the City and to Leith...mainly those with kids and disabilities. The Commy falls far short and I too am sick of waiting 40 minutes to get into the boring teaching pool. I'll also be going out of Edinburgh for my kids to swim. If it's another awful soft play that too is just stupid. Clown Around serves locals wonderfully well. Can't you give the Council taxi budget to keep the pool open? Sell a useless tram or two? Maybe even stop funding expensive corporate Council logos/ ridiculous award schemes? This decision inspires no one. I get the feeling that this Council is bound in ego and corporate nonsense, with the Engine Shed funding also under threat maybe it's kids and disabled people that don't count for much.<br />Totally disgusted. Pam (Leith)Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12271616023086887538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-77463367758029303122013-05-29T19:32:31.420+01:002013-05-29T19:32:31.420+01:00As so many others have said, there's already a...As so many others have said, there's already ample soft play provision in Edinburgh. What there isn't is a warm water leisure pool where the water is shallow enough for babies to learn to explore, yet with flumes and waves to entertain teenagers. It really was - and still could be - a facility for all of Edinburgh's young people. That the Council have chosen to make a quick buck with scant disregard for what's actually needed in the city is hugely disappointing. I wonder how long the soft play centre will last?Hazelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-81433725391326297782013-05-29T19:15:54.817+01:002013-05-29T19:15:54.817+01:00I would just like to take this opportunity to reit...I would just like to take this opportunity to reiterate my support for the community bid to reopen Leith Waterworld in respect of the bid from A&G Property group to instead create a giant soft play.<br /><br />In short:<br /><br />1)Leith already has two great soft play centres (and maybe more that I have missed). Accepting this bid would clearly be detrimental to these businesses which seems unfair when there is no need for further soft play. Additionally, I think it should be taken into account that in the case of Maddie and Mark’s, this would also have a knock on effect on the footfall at Ocean Terminal which already seems in decline with the loss of some key shops, and the now impending new cinema at Fort Kinnaird.<br /><br />2)Providing £125K for free swimming programmes for primary school children is a paltry handout that does not address in anyway the resource that has been lost with the closure of Leith Waterworld. The benefits have been stated over and over again, but the real crux for me is that there is nowhere to take very young children swimming that isn’t too cold (Leith Victoria) or too full (The Commie). <br /><br />I was turned away on my one trip across town to the Commie but I have since found that many of my friends have had the same experience with their toddlers. Leith and Edinburgh need Waterworld. That is what the community has said, repeatedly. <br /><br />I appreciate the temptation to take the money and run, but please think about the long term future of vote to finish what you started with the Splashback team.”PeachyKeenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14075151970129430553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-70529299154634528352013-05-29T18:48:07.460+01:002013-05-29T18:48:07.460+01:00This is the wrong decision. My 7 year-old benefitt...This is the wrong decision. My 7 year-old benefitted from Leith Waterworld when he was a toddler/pre-School because he could *walk* into the pool to a depth he was comfortable with. In the commonwealth I have to carry my 2 year old around because the water is too deep... and the commonwealth is JUST a pool. Waterworld had so much going for it.Marcus Gilchristhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300210402288760710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662128.post-3463756296786799862013-05-29T18:43:21.981+01:002013-05-29T18:43:21.981+01:00Well Edinburgh council showing how dodgey they are...Well Edinburgh council showing how dodgey they are again, just like when money for homelessness was put into , councils friends projects. All will come out and you should be accountable to the people. Roll on election time to remove the con men and women of Edinburgh district council and their back pockets. Shocking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com