I do feel very upset that the Learn to Swim contract for the new Kiwa Pools has not been awarded to a local provider, namely Comet. This hit me again on Wednesday when I read the advert on page 19 of The Gisborne Herald, “Support Our Community — Shop Local”.
Such a pity those who were responsible for the decision to go with Belgravia Leisure did not follow this great advice. In these challenging economic times we all need to shop local whenever possible.
The reasons given for choosing Belgravia were that they are to provide free swimming lessons for 80 children every year from a lower socio-economic group, and have full immersion te reo swimming lessons. It was very clever of them to put these in their application.
In the scheme of things, lessons for 80 tamariki is not huge when one considers how many children Comet have taught to swim over the years — and I am sure Comet could get support to also provide some free lessons. Swimming lessons in te reo? I’m also sure Comet could provide these.
N. Miller
