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Hundreds queue at outdoor pool
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| Queueing: Stephanie Mobbs and Aaran Patterson at Hinksey Pool |
SWIMMERS were left high and dry on the hottest day of the year so far as a lack of lifeguards led to long queues at Oxford's outdoor swimming pool.
Would-be bathers had to wait over an hour in queues of more than a hundred to get into Hinksey Pool as managers restricted numbers because they did not have enough lifeguards.
Many gave up, rather than wait in temperatures of 27C.
Oxford City Council closed two of its indoor pools to transfer lifeguards to Hinksey to cope with the anticipated "exceptional demand", but there still were not enough to allow the pool to operate at full capacity. A 'one-out, one-in' policy was in place for a second day running.
Long queues formed as early as 9.45am. Parents queued in the sunshine but sent their children to find what shade they could.
Today, no one at the pool would speak to us about the queues.
Swimmers, however, said they were told the lack of lifeguards was due to a combination of sickness and a "chronic" lack of staff. Safety rules mean the number of swimmers is limited by the number of lifeguards on duty.
The pool at Peers Sports Centre and Blackbird Leys swimming pool closed over the weekend, except for pre-booked lessons and birthday parties.
Oxford's pools have struggled with staff shortages, and a council spokesman said recruitment was held up due to the time taken for criminal record checks.
Andrea Swiffen's family of five had come for a swim to celebrate her daughter Emma's fifth birthday, but left after queuing for 20 minutes.
Mrs Swiffen, 37, from Botley, said: "It's terrible. Everybody knew the weather forecast. It was obviously going to be like this and now there's nowhere for us to go.
"It's a great disappointment. We cycled all the way to Cowley to get swimming trunks for our young boy but neither him nor my daughter will get a swim on her birthday.
"The council spend all year maintaining it and the day when they can make money from it, they can't find enough staff.
"I think we'll probably have to set up the paddling pool when we get home. I think it's outrageous."
Aaran Patterson, 17, of Hollow Way, said: "It's shocking. The council need to get some more staff here."
Stephanie Mobbs, 19, also from Hollow Way, added: "We're feeling dehydrated. I think the council should be handing out water to people."
Mother-of-two Jodie Flynn-Abbasi, 25, from Greater Leys, said: "If I hadn't promised my kids we'd go swimming I would go home. Why are we queueing up if they've closed two pools already?"
8:13pm Sunday 11th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: jim, Bicester on 10:14pm Sun 11 May 08
Presumably those who runs the pools don't bother looking at the weather forecasts!
Wonder how many gave up and tried less safe places to bathe.
Shameful
Presumably those who runs the pools don't bother looking at the weather forecasts!
Wonder how many gave up and tried less safe places to bathe.
Shameful
Posted by: Barry, Barton on 10:14pm Sun 11 May 08
Oh do stop your dripping. Get out of bed earlier. And Miss Mobbs wants the council to give her free water because she couldn't be bothered to bring some herself? why not go the whole hog and demand chilled lager and a spliff? Diddums to all of you, you whingers.
Oh do stop your dripping. Get out of bed earlier. And Miss Mobbs wants the council to give her free water because she couldn't be bothered to bring some herself? why not go the whole hog and demand chilled lager and a spliff? Diddums to all of you, you whingers.
Posted by: Becky, Witney on 8:59am Mon 12 May 08
Yes, this smacks rather of disorganisation, but not only on the part of the Council. So yes, they failed to think ahead and provide enough lifeguards. But what sensible parent takes their children swimming on a boiling hot day and doesn't take a bottle of water with them? That's your job, Miss Mobbs, not the Council's.
Yes, this smacks rather of disorganisation, but not only on the part of the Council. So yes, they failed to think ahead and provide enough lifeguards. But what sensible parent takes their children swimming on a boiling hot day and doesn't take a bottle of water with them? That's your job, Miss Mobbs, not the Council's.
Posted by: J, oxford on 9:05am Mon 12 May 08
IF they haven't got enough life guards, they haven't got enough life guards! You can't just have anyone supervising, and lifeguards can't just be trained overnight! Would you rather they just let everyone in the pool and risk someone drowning?
As for the person who requested free water, then you should be more organised and bring your own!
Perhaps the council should look into training up more pupils from local schools as lifeguards, so they have an entire list of people they can call and ask to work on hot days?
IF they haven't got enough life guards, they haven't got enough life guards! You can't just have anyone supervising, and lifeguards can't just be trained overnight! Would you rather they just let everyone in the pool and risk someone drowning?
As for the person who requested free water, then you should be more organised and bring your own!
Perhaps the council should look into training up more pupils from local schools as lifeguards, so they have an entire list of people they can call and ask to work on hot days?
Posted by: simon, out there.... on 10:07am Mon 12 May 08
Uuurrrggggh!I think LOTS of people have had a lucky escape! Public swimming pools- unsanitary! people peeing in 't pool, the great unwashed swimming around in 't pool, someone with athletes feet in 't pool! once again- uuurrrggghhh!
Uuurrrggggh!I think LOTS of people have had a lucky escape! Public swimming pools- unsanitary! people peeing in 't pool, the great unwashed swimming around in 't pool, someone with athletes feet in 't pool! once again- uuurrrggghhh!
Posted by: anon, oxford on 9:36pm Mon 12 May 08
I agree with you Simon............it'
s like having a bath with loads of people you don't know who could have all sorts!!!!
I agree with you Simon............it'
s like having a bath with loads of people you don't know who could have all sorts!!!!
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