Residents and regular users of the Breadalbane Community Campus swimming pool in Aberfeldy are once again facing disruption following an unexpected closure of the facility. The popular Perthshire aquatic centre was shut down on Friday morning after what authorities described as a ‘release of faecal matter’ was discovered in the pool water.
This latest incident marks a frustrating pattern for the community, as it is reportedly the fourth time since February that the pool has been forced to close its doors for similar hygiene-related issues. Each occurrence necessitates a thorough and time-consuming cleaning process to ensure public safety, impacting local swimmers, families, and various aquatic programmes. Impact on Aberfeldy and Surrounding Areas
The Breadalbane Community Campus is a vital hub for Aberfeldy and the wider Breadalbane region of Perth and Kinross. It provides essential recreational and fitness opportunities for a diverse demographic, from schoolchildren learning to swim to adults attending fitness classes and leisure swimmers seeking relaxation. Repeated closures of the swimming pool can significantly disrupt these routines, leaving many searching for alternative facilities, which can often mean travelling further afield.
Families with young children, in particular, often rely on local pools for structured activities and leisure time. The inconvenience caused by these frequent shutdowns can lead to frustration among parents and children alike, who might have their plans abruptly cancelled. Similarly, local schools that utilise the pool for swimming lessons face challenges in rescheduling, potentially affecting the progression of their aquatic education programmes. Operator’s Response and Safety Protocols
Live Active Highland, the organisation responsible for managing the Breadalbane Community Campus pool, confirmed the immediate closure. They emphasised that extensive cleaning is now underway to meet stringent health and safety standards. The necessity of such closures, while inconvenient, is paramount to safeguarding public health and preventing the spread of waterborne illnesses.
A spokesperson for Live Active Highland issued the following statement:
“Unfortunately, Breadalbane Community Campus swimming pool has had to temporarily close with immediate effect, in order for us to carry out the industry standard cleaning protocols following the release of faecal matter into the swimming pool water. This process can take anything up to 48 hours and we will confirm the exact reopening time for the pool in a further post later. All other areas of the facility will remain open as normal. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.”
The commitment to ‘industry standard cleaning protocols’ highlights the rigorous procedures required in such situations. These protocols involve a complete shutdown of the filtration system, super-chlorination of the water, and often draining and refilling a portion of the pool, followed by extensive testing to ensure all contaminants are eradicated before reopening. This comprehensive approach, while lengthy, is non-negotiable for maintaining a safe environment for all users. Addressing Recurring Incidents
The fact that this is not an isolated event, but at least the fourth closure for similar reasons since February, raises questions within the community about the underlying causes and potential preventative measures. While individual incidents can be unavoidable, a recurring pattern may prompt discussions among facility management, local authorities, and users about strategies to minimise future occurrences.
For now, while the swimming pool remains out of bounds, other facilities within the Breadalbane Community Campus continue to operate as normal, providing some continuity for those utilising the broader campus offerings. The immediate focus for Live Active Highland remains on completing the necessary cleaning and testing as quickly and safely as possible.
Local residents eagerly await an update on the pool’s reopening, hoping for a swift return to normal operations and a long-term solution to prevent such frequent disruptions to this much-valued community asset in Perthshire.
This latest incident marks a frustrating pattern for the community, as it is reportedly the fourth time since February that the pool has been forced to close its doors for similar hygiene-related issues. Each occurrence necessitates a thorough and time-consuming cleaning process to ensure public safety, impacting local swimmers, families, and various aquatic programmes. Impact on Aberfeldy and Surrounding Areas
The Breadalbane Community Campus is a vital hub for Aberfeldy and the wider Breadalbane region of Perth and Kinross. It provides essential recreational and fitness opportunities for a diverse demographic, from schoolchildren learning to swim to adults attending fitness classes and leisure swimmers seeking relaxation. Repeated closures of the swimming pool can significantly disrupt these routines, leaving many searching for alternative facilities, which can often mean travelling further afield.
Families with young children, in particular, often rely on local pools for structured activities and leisure time. The inconvenience caused by these frequent shutdowns can lead to frustration among parents and children alike, who might have their plans abruptly cancelled. Similarly, local schools that utilise the pool for swimming lessons face challenges in rescheduling, potentially affecting the progression of their aquatic education programmes. Operator’s Response and Safety Protocols
Live Active Highland, the organisation responsible for managing the Breadalbane Community Campus pool, confirmed the immediate closure. They emphasised that extensive cleaning is now underway to meet stringent health and safety standards. The necessity of such closures, while inconvenient, is paramount to safeguarding public health and preventing the spread of waterborne illnesses.
A spokesperson for Live Active Highland issued the following statement:
“Unfortunately, Breadalbane Community Campus swimming pool has had to temporarily close with immediate effect, in order for us to carry out the industry standard cleaning protocols following the release of faecal matter into the swimming pool water. This process can take anything up to 48 hours and we will confirm the exact reopening time for the pool in a further post later. All other areas of the facility will remain open as normal. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.”
The commitment to ‘industry standard cleaning protocols’ highlights the rigorous procedures required in such situations. These protocols involve a complete shutdown of the filtration system, super-chlorination of the water, and often draining and refilling a portion of the pool, followed by extensive testing to ensure all contaminants are eradicated before reopening. This comprehensive approach, while lengthy, is non-negotiable for maintaining a safe environment for all users. Addressing Recurring Incidents
The fact that this is not an isolated event, but at least the fourth closure for similar reasons since February, raises questions within the community about the underlying causes and potential preventative measures. While individual incidents can be unavoidable, a recurring pattern may prompt discussions among facility management, local authorities, and users about strategies to minimise future occurrences.
For now, while the swimming pool remains out of bounds, other facilities within the Breadalbane Community Campus continue to operate as normal, providing some continuity for those utilising the broader campus offerings. The immediate focus for Live Active Highland remains on completing the necessary cleaning and testing as quickly and safely as possible.
Local residents eagerly await an update on the pool’s reopening, hoping for a swift return to normal operations and a long-term solution to prevent such frequent disruptions to this much-valued community asset in Perthshire.