Xcite Armadale Save Our Pool

31/08/2023

That's our pool now shut 😭😭
It is an absolute disgrace that this was allowed to happen but it was clear from the start the council and xcite had already made their minds up. As the pool is common good they now have to consult with community groups as to what they want to do with this building.
‼️‼️ The next community council meeting is on the 14th September at 7pm in the partnership center ‼️‼️please make your voice heard 🙏

20/06/2023

Confirmed that the pool will close on the 31st August!! Absolutely disgraceful 😤

Three public swimming pools in West Lothian will close later this year

15/06/2023

ARMADALE POOL
Armadale Town Council built the pool after being “stung” by a 1960s survey by the University of Strathclyde on the range of recreational opportunities – particularly for young people. This had shown Armadale in a bad light.
The pool cost £30,000 (a bit over £400,000 now) despite the Council having to “cut its cloth pretty neat.” It was thought to be a necessary facility for a town of 7,000 (now 70% larger).
The Courier described it as a “courageous decision.”
One of the benefits was said to be to “end the trek to Bathgate.”
Chairman of the Baths Committee, Willie Ferrier invited Olympic swimming medalist Bobby McGregor to officially open the pool in November of 1969.
The pool – now with a small gym attached – saw 96, 000 swims last year.
The Council has tonight published its response to the closure proposal.
I’m afraid there seems not be much evidence in the present political administration of the kind of courage and ambition for Armadale shown in the late-1960s.
Closure by end-August and then disposal as surplus property is the Council's plan.

08/06/2023

📸slides for those of you that couldn't make it

It sounded to me and many others there that the decision has been made and this meeting was purely lip service.

💥🙏please continue to make a noice around this 🙏

01/06/2023

‼️make sure our voice is heard‼️

For those interested in the future of the four West Lothian Leisure (WLL) facilities scheduled for closure, the Council is holding a public information meeting on Wednesday 7 June between 4:00pm-6:00pm. The meeting will take place at St Margaret’s Academy, Livingston.
Officers from WLL & West Lothian Council (WLC) will be available to provide information and answer any questions.
The Council says the hall at St Margaret’s Academy is large but to ensure that all interested groups and as many members of the public as possible can attend, they are asking those that wish to attend to apply. Anyone wishing to attend must complete an online form before 12:00noon on Tuesday 6 June.
Spaces will be allocated on a first come first come basis. An email will be issued on Tuesday 6 June to confirm places.
Please apply by completing this form providing the following information: https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/publicmeeting

PLEASE don't allow this to become just a meeting about Howden Park (good luck to those campaigners). It should also be about Armadale pool and remind the Council that Armadale is part of its responsibilities, too.

31/05/2023

‼️We need as many people wanting Armadale pool/gym to stay open to attend this meeting. This is our final push to make them listen and consider not closing Armadale‼️🙏🙏

Wednesday 7 June, 4pm - 6pm

18/05/2023

‼️💥UPDATE💥‼️
Next Tuesday the councillors will meet again to discuss the proposals to close our pool and gym. If you have yet to sign the petition or contact the local councillors please do so ahead of this.

Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick has promised to meet with all of those apposing the closures but we are still waiting for a date on this. You can contact him directly to request this meeting on [email protected]

The proposed closure is the 31st August so we don't have long to turn this around🙏🙏

14/05/2023

08/05/2023

🙏 we hope to see some of you tomorrow. Outside the Civic Center at 9am 🙏

We will have some signs with us so will be easy to spot 🤩

05/05/2023

‼️ATTENTION‼️
On Tuesday (9th May) we are protesting outside of the Civic Center in livingston at 9am. The council will be meeting to discuss the future of Armadale Xcite. We are hoping to catch them on there way in to peacefully demonstrate our disagreement with their appalling proposals.

We need to get everyone their that wants to keep Armadale Xcite open.

Remember we only get one chance at this! Please spread the word and share this post.

I know getting there for many will be hard so if you are going and have space in your car please comment below so people can arrange to car share 🚗🚗

05/05/2023

We are in a
💥cost of living crisis
💥mental health crisis
💥obesity crisis
💥climate change crisis
💥public transport crisis

The closure of Amadale Xcite will only make all of these worse.

For many the option of traveling to another site either by car or public transport is NOT an option.

A local fitness facility is critical to Armadale. This is not a long thought out plan as alot of money has recently been spent on Armadale 80k for a new boiler and the gym re vamp earlier this year. Surely other funding and costing saving options should be exhausted first rather than jumping stright to a closure.

Please make your voice heard by speaking to the local councillors and signing the petition.

We only get one chance to stop this so let's make it count 👊

04/05/2023

Morning all! A group of us have been discussing how we take this further. Once we have firmed up plans we will let you know. In the mean time please keep sharing the petition and reaching out the the 3 councillors. OVER 700 SIGNATURES ALREADY!!