Pool provokes bitter exchanges

The pool campaign has lasted for 141 days

By News Online Scotland's Thomas McGuigan

The decision to close a Glasgow swimming pool has provoked some of the most turbulent scenes in the city in years.

Campaigners committed to saving the pool in Govanhill clashed with police officers on Tuesday night, with a number of people injured.

The unrest resulting from the decison to send sheriff's officers in to clear protesters who had been occupying the pool will have led to raised eyebrows among many observers.

After all, how often have blows been exchanged in battles to save an early 20th century leisure facility?

Some protesters occupied the building

However, the fight to save the pool on the south side of the city has been a bitter one.

On 21 March 2001, Glasgow City Council announced plans to close the baths.

The cost of repairs, the council said, could not be met and a feasibility study would be carried out regarding future use of the building.

Campaigners did not accept the council's plans and the Southside Action Against Closure Group was formed.

Some decided to occupy the pool on a shift basis and a clash with the authorities seemed inevitable as they rejected repeated demands to leave.

A line of police outside the building on Tuesday, 7 August graphically illustrated how divided both sides had become.

'Mindless' attacks

Police were pelted with pineapples, stones and socks filled with nuts and bolts.

What had begun as a peaceful and even light hearted protest over the previous 141 days had ended in ugly skirmishes.

Campaigners accused the council and police of heavy handed tactics, while the police said they had faced "mindless" attacks and there were allegations that outside elements had joined the protest to stir up trouble.

It represents a real social hub in the community and acts as more than a swimming pool

Fatima Uygun, campaigner

One of the protesters, Fatima Uygun, said the lack of consultation had angered the community.

She said: "I've been completely politicised and changed by the fight to save the pool. Local people finally decided to say, 'no'.

"This pool has been the heart of Govanhill for the last 95 years and has been a lifestyle for the people who maybe cannot get out of Govanhill.

Horses were used to control the crowd

"It represents a real social hub in the community and acts as more than a swimming pool, it is a way of life for people."

On 10 June sheriff's officers served notices of eviction on those occupying the building.

The council said it would not be deterred and repairing the pool would have cost an initial £750,000 with a further £3m required to bring the building up to modern standards.

It argued that it had invested in better services in Castlemilk and the Gorbals.

Protesters argued the pool was a focal point for the community and its unique design allowed local Muslims women to use the facilities.

Last month, MSP region MSP Frank McAveety said local councils had the right to make decisions in terms of their budget.

He said the campaigners had made their point, but the debate had to move forward.

The violent confrontations outside the pool in Govanhill may have signalled the end of the protesters' campaign.

But the war of words between the council and campaigners looks set to continue.