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The Scottish Salmon Company has committed to a three-year funding deal to support Mid Argyll Community Pool’s (MACPool) ‘Learn to Swim’ programme.
The £25,000 cash injection will reduce waiting lists, fill classes, and expand the programme to a wider age and ability range. Within the first year, it estimates it will be able to offer a further 10 classes a week for a total of 80 local swimmers.
The pool’s Business Development Manager Eilidh Bartlett also secured match funding from sportscotland for the development of the clubs who use the pool.
This sponsorship forms part of The Scottish Salmon Company’s healthy living initiative. Stewart McLelland, Chief Operating Officer at The Scottish Salmon Company, said:
“Our healthy living initiative is very important to us as a company. We are committed to supporting the communities in which we operate and this fantastic initiative at MACPool is an ideal way for us to support healthy living from a young age.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the efforts of the local community in the hard work and commitment it has shown in supporting this pool and we are delighted to now be a part of that.”
A reception was held on Tuesday February 22 at the pool, with local dignitaries including MSP Jamie McGrigor and MP Alan Reid in attendance.
Eilidh Bartlet, Business Development Manager at the pool, said: “Securing this significant private and public sector investment helps to secure the future of MACPool and allows us to invest in enhancing our current programmes for the benefit of children and families in the community. We are grateful to The Scottish Salmon Company, and sportscotland, as this generous sponsorship means so much to all our community supporters and volunteer teams who have worked and campaigned hard to keep the pool open.”
The match funding from sportscotland will support the growth and sustainable development of the clubs who use the pool.
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland said: “Increasing participation by providing more and better opportunities for people to get active and stay active is a key aim for sportscotland and that can only be achieved through a strong club structure. The application for match funding from MACPool demonstrated a clear commitment to developing the clubs who regularly use the pool which is why we were delighted to make an award of £8700 through our sportsmatch programme.”
Jamie McGrigor MSP said: “I warmly welcome this news and pay tribute to the Scottish Salmon Company for their support. Aquaculture plays a vital role in the economy of this area, employing many local people, and it is incredibly positive to see one of our leading Scottish companies investing in this much-loved community facility.
“I want to pay tribute to all those involved in the Mid Argyll Community Company and the pool, especially the hard-working directors and Eilidh Bartlet as Business Development Manager, who have been so successful in attracting new funding streams for the pool. They are determined and optimistic and I am confident they will continue to draw in sources of funding. The whole campaign to ensure the future of the pool has been a fantastic demonstration of getting the community together in the common interests and it’s been one of the most impressive and effective I’ve been involved in during my time as an MSP.”
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