Aqualibrium gym/pool !!!!!

[A Horse called Juan Face]

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So how long before we see reports in the paper of perverts ogling the kids in the pool then?

Unfortunately these people are everywhere .........so are you going to stop kids, teenagers,young adults going to the pool, playpark, the skatepark, playing football , the beach even going down the street.

Reading the paper and listening to the news most of these people are accessing sites on the internet.

that's propaganda making you say things like that
thats the kind of talk that gets parents banned from videoing their own children at sports day

oh, and its not as if there isn't any employees at the pool watching the viewing gallery and the cafe
i think they'd notice if anything untoward was going on
i could be much cruder about that point if anyone needs it illustrated

[pat.mcphee]

Can't believe that some-one has actually stopped going to the pool because of the viewing gallery!!!


As someone pointed out the old pool had a viewing area too!

Personally I think Aqualibrium is great and like every new thing has had teething troubles - and people are always keen to criticise and moan. Give them a chance I say!

Far too much attention is paid to peoples looks etc in my opinion for what's worth! Charlotte Church has got the right idea - more power to her elbow!!!

If they don't like the sight of my less than good looks and none too svelte figure in my sensible cossie -they don't have to look!

[Campbeltown Lass]

[/quote]oh, and its not as if there isn't any employees at the pool watching the viewing gallery and the cafe
i think they'd notice if anything untoward was going on
i could be much cruder about that point if anyone needs it illustrated[/quote]

The staff are definately watching out for people like this, they are pretty easy to spot - beleive me!

I am sure i speak for all of the staff aswell as myself when i say this. Aqualibrium is a public building comprising of a number of different (badly needed) leisure facilities, there have been (understandably) a number of teething problems which have been dealt with as swiftly as possible. I think it is extremely unfair of the Campbeltown people to post nothing but negative comments on here when so much money has been invested into something that is intended to make living in the town better for the locals and bring much needed tourism to the area so that Campbeltown, in turn, will be a more prosperous place, having a knock on effect on local buisinesses etc.
Typical Campbeltown, if people are not happy with something all they do is moan about it and spread negative propaganda about it instead of taking an active role in making it better. If you are that unhappy with an issue regarding Aqualibrium, put your money where your mouth is and speak to a duty manager about it.

[Bruce]

When we were in the town, 4 of our group (1 adult and the 3 kids with us) went to the pool. At first we were shocked to hear about the need to book in advance, but on later thinking about it that made sense given the time of year (summer holidays) and the fact the place was only recently opened (we were there in the 2nd week of July). Anyway, the comments that came back after they'd all had their swim were favourable - there was no mention of having to wait to get changed, the session lasted the full time paid for, the showers worked and if the water was cold no one complained (and as my son was one of them there, believe me if there was a complaint he would have voiced it at some point)! [Note: I would have posted this sooner, but I was not the adult that was swimming with the kids and only just spoke to him to ask about what he thought!]

So, I agree with Campbeltown Lass, give the place a chance to prove itself - I know from past experience (when the Carnegie swimming pool in Dunfermline reopened after a lengthy closure with a new pool being built) that the problems that can be experienced can put people off (and believe me, the problems they had in Dunfermline nearly resulted in the place closing again) but it was all sorted out and people now can't remember what it was like before! In time it will be the same with Aquilibrium!

As for the problem with anyone not swimming or using the gym being able to see those that are, I don't know of any swimming pool that does not have a viewing area (and in some cases the cafe's even being adjacant to those areas) and even gyms that are visible to the public! If anyone thinks someone is watching a bit too close for their comfort they should report it, but they should also realise that the staff are usually watching out for them anyway!

[ullean's mum]

[quote]The staff are definately watching out for people like this, they are pretty easy to spot - beleive me!

Sorry but through personal experience they are not easy to spot, saying that i don't see why kid's should be kept away from the activities they enjoy because of the threat of perverts,if we all thought like that our kids would never be out the house,as i have said i have personal experience but would still take my kids to the pool ,the town has waited a long time for this facility why waste it

[Ninja Mania]

I have been in the pool and the gym on quite a few occasions since it opened, I have also supported the cafe on quite a few occasions too, I have never noticed anything untowards going on with anyone in the gallery area as far as watching kids goes, apart from the obvious parents.

A lot of time and money has gone into this project, including the training of the staff.
Its time to get off their backs, and let them get on with their jobs.
I dont see the need to continue with a debate of what might, and what might not happen to anyone who uses the facilities, its just scare mongering, if everyone keeps an eye out and reports anything they are concerned about to the staff then that should be that.
Voicing it on here only fuels a fire that should never have been lit in the first place, well not on here anyway.

[the phone girl]

I don't think the original poster (who sounds like a young girl and young girls' are self-conscious - not vain) was intending to imply that the pool and cafe were full of perverts, but that she personally was uncomfortable with the viewing area. It's true that the old pool did have a tiny little waiting area with a coke machine. Mostly there were no chairs and mostly it was swimmers that went in there to wait on stragglers coming out of the changing rooms and the odd mum and dad watching their own kids swim. Most pools, it's true, have viewing areas within the pool area but not for people who come off the street fancing a cuppa rather they are for non swimming members of groups that are swimming. The original poster will no doubt return when she feels comfortable but it is a new thing for the kids to experience. I think her posting name is just a name and I didn't think she was gossiping, just expressing her opinion which is, after all, what a forum is all about. People putting their opinions. It's nice to see young people joining in on this forum. Let's let them express themselves so they grow to be confident about putting forward their ideas in a mostly adult setting without jumping on them too much.

[jillibabes]

I kinda agree with what weetoongossip was saying - I'm a slightly more mature lady who doesn't have a size 10 figure who would have used the gym to help get back into shape - however, I too was put off by the fact that joe public can watch me work out whilst I try and lose some of my excess weight - I decided not to join Aqualibrium and pay for my induction session. I know that it shouldn't matter what people think but when you don't have the perfect figure and are self conscious about your weight then having anybody and everbody be able to watch you is very off putting. I'm not saying that weetoongossip doesn't have a perfect figure or anything like that but if she is young then I'm sure she will be self conscious about her body with all the changes that are happening to her at the moment I remember how I felt when I was a teenager.

[kintyre 84]

I am that forty something female with a not so great figure determined to do something about it...
I must admit it crossed my mind about the total visabilty within the gym, however, I went ahead and booked my induction and have been going regularly the last couple of weeks.
I don't even notice the windows now... most of the equipment faces the other way so my back is to the gallery when busy working out.
I am really enjoying it all (surprisingly!) and am delighted with the whole facility. Maybe it IS my age, but I could not care less what anyone else thinks when they see me sweating my butt off!!!! Hopefully it will all be worthwhile.

[SmithD]

I was uneasy going at first but when in the gym you are mainly facing the other way toward the television and you get carried away as you can get headphones to plug in to watch the television on the machines like the excerise bikes or listen to the radio. Makes working out much easier watching tv!

Also as was said before the old pool and most other pools have viewing areas, Oban's pool viewing area is on the pool side. And I have been in one in Glasgow where the cafe is pool side too.

But I understand things like this can make people feel uneasy or self conscious.

[elainemck]

I think Aqualibrium's facilities are first class. They have had their fair share of teething problems but that is to be expected. When I used it at peak July season I thoroughly enjoyed it and my younger brother and cousin loved every minute of it. I think in time when the number of people using it goes down a little or if there are more swimming lanes it will be even better.

OK so people can see in the pool and the gym, this happens in every modern leisure facility! I go the gym and swim regularly in Glasgow and there is not one I have been in that doesn't have this open view and has a cafe in it too! It's a great idea to have a cafe so that when you're finished your swim/gym session or waiting on someone you can go and get that well deserved coffee and cake and see everyone in there having fun. That is the point of it! I know some people are self-conscious and that is understandable as I suppose it is different when you are in Glasgow and no-one knows you to the the town where people you know looking at you! However, it is there for a reason and I think it serves a good purpose. With regards to perverts - that has just opened a can of worms that didn't need to be opened. So yes they could go to the cafe to watch through the glass but who knows they could be in the pool too - are we going to close it down??!

[Moyster]

Just back from the pool today with my family and had a great hr in swimming.

I agree with Campbeltown Lass that no matter what you put on for the local people there is always some negative responses. I do appreciate that everyone has a right to air there views but I always fine it a bit annoying when you see the facility we have here and hear and see the comments. To me, and I have travelled, the pool would not be out of place in Glasgow or another major city.

Well Done ABC for pulling it off and I wish every success to the staff and management of the Pool.

Moyster

[SmithD]

Just thought I would say that they have comment forms on reception now for any of the public to fill out and give their view be it positive or negative.

[amron]

Just back from Stirling where we visited the Rainbow Slides swimming pool.

This is when you really appreciated the fantastic facility that we have here in Campbeltown

The pool in Stirling is really dated tiny changing rooms, only a couple of family cubicles, boys over 8 have to use the mens changing room where there are no cubicles only a bench so no privicy.
Surprisingly enough they do have a spectators area within their cafe facilitys same as us.
They do have a childrens pool which was really busy. The whole building is really dark inside compared to our pool and dated bit like our old pool.

Personally things have really settled down yesterday the water was at a lovely temp.
No doubt though somebody will complain that it was to warm.

Schools go back next week so through the day will be quiet with no schoolchildren. Remember though it will probably still be busy after school and at weekends.

[Fiona_R]

Hi Amron, Hope you enjoyed Stirling. I echo your sentiments exactly about the pool. What you have in Campbeltown is a fantastic facility of which you should be proud. I regularly go swimming in East Kilbride, and i'm always complaining about the pools, most of them need a good clean. I have only started to realise that is not the cleaners fault, but it is people that spoil an excellent facility. Dont make your pool go the same way. I will always look forward to going swimming when I'm in Campbletown. No where else can you get a view of Davaar when swimming!!!!