Council move to real consultation

Our efforts on Tuesday night have produced a commitment from the Lord Mayor for an extended period of meaningful consultation. The ABC quotes the Lord Mayor as saying:

"There is absolutely no decision until we have this full public consultation and that's what should have happened in the first place ... That's what we've achieved and I think that's a good result. We'll be able to work with the community rather than tell the community what should happen."

Let's take him at his word, and ensure that local residents and users of the pool can have a genuine say, and exert some influence, over how this public facility can be improved for the good of the community.

SMP comes to Council

Around 80-100 local residents and pool lovers met at the Town Hall on Tuesday night, ready for a quick swim on the front steps, and with a clear message for Newcastle City Council: Save Mayfield Swimming Pool: Improve it Don't Remove it! Once again several generations came together to highlight the breadth and depth of community support for this campaign. Regular shows of support were received from passers by, while a vocal chorus of "What do we want? Mayfield Pool; When do we want it? Always!" brought the meeting upstairs to a halt. Another of our swimming team delivered a signed poster to the meeting. Television (NBN) and newspaper crews attended, so look out for some growing media interest. Thanks to all who joined the pool party, and see you at the public meeting on the 16th where we can plan our next one!

Save Mayfield Swimming Pool Media Release

Community gathers to show support for Mayfield Swimming Pool: “Improve it don’t remove it”

This evening (Tuesday 28th) residents of Mayfield, Tighes Hill, Islington and Carrington wearing goggles, snorkels, flippers and other swimming gear will gather at City Hall to show support for Mayfield Swimming Pool. The protest will coincide with the formal tabling of a recently leaked and controversial consultants’ report proposing the closure of the much loved Pool.

“Mayfield Swimming Pool is an important part of our community life”, said Brian Gaffney, spokesperson for Save Mayfield Swimming Pool. At a hastily organised meeting in Mayfield last Sunday week ago, more than 150 adults and children attended and unanimously condemned the proposal to close the pool. Also represented were numerous community organisations including Mayfield Mainstreet, Mayfield Community Forum and the Coaltion of Schools to Save Mayfield Pool, comprising all local schools as well as the unions representing teachers in public, Catholic and private schools.

“Many speakers shared stories of the importance of the pool in their lives, and the life of our community. Older residents remember the last time, 10 or so years ago, when Council tried to close the pool. Mayfield Swimming Pool needs Council to recognise its community value, not neglect it or close it.

“We want to ensure our treasured Mayfield Swimming Pool is retained and enhanced. We want to work with Council to improve both the facilities and swimmer numbers. We say ‘Improve it don’t remove it’.

“Residents honour the pool’s history, acknowledge the pool’s current social value and anticipate the important role the pool will play in our community’s future. The proposal before Council does none of these things.” concluded Mr Gaffney.

Photo Opportunity:
When: 6.30pm today (Tuesday 28 August)
Where: Steps of City Hall
What: Residents of Mayfield, Tighes Hill, Islington & Carrington wearing goggles snorkels, flippers and other swimming gear.

Campaign Action Tuesday Evening (Aug 28)

This Tuesday evening, come and tell Council to Save Mayfield Swimming Pool! The plan to close the Pool will be formally presented to Newcastle Council at a meeting on this Tuesday night, 28 August. We're planning a family friendly protest out the front of City Hall in King Street, Newcastle at 6pm.

Bring your friends, bring your family, bring signs and bring swimming goggles, snorkels, masks and other swimming gear. If you've got a digital camera, bring that too, so we can get plenty of photos up on the website.

The actual Council meeting doesn't start until 7.30pm. If you can stay until then for a silent protest that would be great, but the most important thing is to get there for the photo opportunity shortly after 6pm.

From the Save Mayfield Pool Steering Committee.

Petition to Save Mayfield Pool

Simon has prepared a petition to support the Save Mayfield Swimming Pool campaign. To download and print the petition, just right click on the image and select the save to / download to computer option. Please distribute the petition to friends / colleagues, and help us get the numbers needed to save our pool. Completed petitions can be dropped off at the next public meeting, or email us and we'll organise to pick them up.

Teacher Union support Mayfield Pool

Local members of the Independent Education Union have called on Newcastle Council to keep Mayfield Swimming Pool Open. They have raised the issue with Newcastle Trades Hall Council who have added their support for the campaign. See details here.

Letter box drop

One of the many who joined Sunday's public meeting, Kate, has put together a leaflet for distribution in Mayfield to further build this community campaign. Kate will be coordinating volunteers to letterbox Mayfield.

If you would like to help distribute these, and get a bit of exercise, just let us know by email (savemayfieldpool@gmail.com) and we'll get in touch...

Mayfield community decides to save its pool

A public meeting held on Sunday August 19 launched a campaign to save Mayfield public swimming pool. This follows a leaked report, commissioned by Newcastle City Council, recommending the pool be replaced with a water slide.

Around 150 people attended the meeting, made up of babies and shool-age children, their parents and grandparents. These local residents, and representatives of community groups, opposed the logic of "user pays" for community services like Mayfield's public swimming pool, and called on Council to enhance the pool with additional services rather than remove it.

Proposals included an upgrade of the cafe facilities, more shade covered areas, solar heating for the pool as part of a broader ecologically sustainable project, learn to swim classes, community involvement in the pool's management, and improved adjoining playground facilities for children.

Next public meeting to Save Mayfield Pool

The next public meeting to Save Mayfield Pool is set for Sunday September 16 at 3pm in Mayfield Bowling Club (next door to the pool in Ingall Street Mayfield).

The meeting will report back on actions taken, update on any Council responses, and further build the campaign. All welcome.