Former Olympic diver's fury as Blackpool Council pools stay closed

A former Olympic diver has expressed his anger that pubs and gyms were allowed to reopen following the coronavirus lockdown, but council swimming pools remained closed.
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David Priestley, of Stopford Avenue in Bispham, was "incredibly disappointed" by Blackpool Council's decision to keep its swimming pools closed.

Pools at the council's Active Blackpool venues, which include Moor Park Health and Leisure Centre in Bispham, Palatine Leisure Centre in South Shore, and Blackpool Sports Centre, remain closed due to Covid-19.

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The 74-year-old former diver, who competed for Great Britain at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, swam every day at either Moor Park or Palatine before the lockdown.

Former Olympian David Priestley was angry that Blackpool Council had not reopened its swimming pools after the coronavirus lockdown. He was concerned it would have an impact on the health and well-being of Blackpool residents.Former Olympian David Priestley was angry that Blackpool Council had not reopened its swimming pools after the coronavirus lockdown. He was concerned it would have an impact on the health and well-being of Blackpool residents.
Former Olympian David Priestley was angry that Blackpool Council had not reopened its swimming pools after the coronavirus lockdown. He was concerned it would have an impact on the health and well-being of Blackpool residents.

Although he did not bring home a medal at the global games, exercise remained a "huge" part of Mr Priestley's life.

"If pubs can reopen, and gyms where people are spitting and sweating all over the place can open, then why can't people swim in chlorinated water?" he said.

"I don't think the council realises that these pools are a lifeline for some people. It's the summer holidays, and members and children can't even go for a swim.

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"There is absolutely no excuse. They could even introduce lane swimming, and people would be perfectly safe."

David Priestley with his kitten Chestnut, who he said "kept him going" through the coronavirus lockdown as he could no longer swim every day.David Priestley with his kitten Chestnut, who he said "kept him going" through the coronavirus lockdown as he could no longer swim every day.
David Priestley with his kitten Chestnut, who he said "kept him going" through the coronavirus lockdown as he could no longer swim every day.

Without being able to swim, Mr Priestley said his new kitten Chestnut had "kept him going" throughout the lockdown.

He also regularly communicates with a large network of swimmers from around the world.

They rallied round him to show their support, and were all in agreement that exercise, including swimming, was vital for mental health and well-being.

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Tony Jarvis, former Olympics 1968 Swim Team captain, competed in Blackpool "many times" over the years at the now-demolished Derby Baths on the prom next to Warley Road.

He said: "Like all the GB Swim Team members of our era and so many others competing for top honours, Blackpool will have an indelible place in our hearts after many years of National Championships and International meets at the Derby Baths.

"With careful planning, lots of common sense and sensitivity to both swimmer and pool staff’s needs and safety, the council should open the pools as fast as possible and provide a much needed boost to the health and welfare of its residents and visitors."

A spokesman for Blackpool Council said: "Government guidance identifies that changing rooms are higher risk areas with regards to the transmission of Covid-19 and recommends

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that all venues should encourage attendees to arrive at a facility in a sports kit and where possible to travel home to change and shower.

"Given this guidance, Active Blackpool, during the first phase of re-opening its leisure centres, has made the decision to keep all changing rooms closed to the public and ask customers to attend 'activity ready.'

"This is possible for dry activities such as exercise classes and using the gyms, but is not always possible for swimming customers who may need access to changing facilities.

"Whilst this is only a recommendation from the Government, we believe that to ensure the safety of our customers and staff, the best approach is to start with making specific activities

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available before increasing footfall to the centres to enable our systems and processes to be tested.

"We also have been very careful in our planning in reopening Moor Park Health and Leisure Centre as we have taken into consideration the location of the pool within a shared used site

which includes a range of health services and library."

Blackpool Council advised that it aimed to reopen its Active Blackpool swimming pools in September, but was unable to provide a specific date.