Mid Argyll Community Pool (MACPool) in Lochgilphead serves a very important role in the area, with a busy schedule of lessons and public swimming sessions for all ages – and a lot of family fun.
But the MACPool has been suffering from staff shortages in recent months, which already forced it to close on Fridays earlier this year.
It says it has been operating recently with one part time lifeguard during weekdays.
It urgently needs several more.
The good news is that MACPool has appointed a new manager, Alida Achermann, to start on November 6.
Despite this positive development, MACPool will still be forced to close from 3pm to 4pm on weekdays from the middle of November due to “a lack of available staff to provide the required safety cover.”
These hours will be reinstated only when MACPool has recruited and trained some additional staff members.
The facility is holding a recruitment afternoon on Sunday, November 12, from 1pm to 4pm, when the public can speak to staff about working at the pool.
The pool opened in 1996 after many years of fundraising by the local community.
It would be such a shame if it is forced to cut its hours of operation even more due to lack of interest.
“MACPool is a charity run for the benefit of our community and we need your help,” it said this week.
“If you can swim, we can teach you to be a lifeguard.
“If you are looking for part time work, day time, early mornings, or afternoons, old or young, if you need some extra cash or would just like something to do, we would like to hear from you.”
Let’s hope the community listens and responds ASAP.