Swimmer who uses Port Baths every day says it's 'crazy' that the pool has not re-opened

Jane Crawford, 55, has a string of health problems and says that swimming is her lifeline.

She has made lots of new friends through the pool and was looking forward to getting back following the lockdown.

Jane was upset when the body which runs the pool, Inverclyde Leisure, decided to keep it closed until Easter - despite reopening the pools at Gourock and Greenock's Waterfront Leisure Centre.

The Tele revealed yesterday how councillors could throw the pool a lifeline.

Following protests over the continued closure they will consider a proposal to spend £51,000 to step in and reopen the pool next month.

Jane says she hopes elected members will see sense and agree to splash out.

She said: "Who's going to go to Gourock Pool on a rainy day like we have been having?

"We should be back in the Port Baths now, it's crazy.

"I feel Port Glasgow has been treated very badly over this."

Bosses at IL say the Easter date is down to lack of funds and argue they had to prioritise re-opening facilities after months of lockdown without any income.

Gourock Pool meanwhile attracted a council subsidy to reopen until the end of October.

Jane, of Rowan Court, said: "The Port has a really busy pool, there's the over-60s club, family swimming, a kids' day on a Saturday and swimming lessons.

"I've been going there for three years.

"I used to be a walker but I can't walk very far now.

"I've had a couple of mini strokes, have diabetic myopathy and high blood pressure, so swimming is better for me.

"I just went in myself one day and I met a lot of nice people.

"When the schools are off they bring their kids along too.

"Me and this other lady met up with a group of folk and we all went out for a Christmas dinner.

"It's my social life."

The mum-of-one says it makes no sense to keep such a good and well-used facility closed for a further prolonged period.

She said: "The sauna and steam room has been refurbished and there are new lockers and a reception where you can scan your membership card."

Councillors are due to decide on the £51k reopening proposal at a meeting being held today.