A war of words erupted when a councillor raised the topic of women-only swimming sessions.
Councillor Laura Blumenthal asked Ian Shenton, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for environment, sport and leisure why, after being signed off 18 months ago, plans to provide the sessions have yet to restart.
She said: “The current plans are a million miles away from the vision of it being a convenient and pleasant experience to get more women being active.”
She said current plans for sessions at Forest School between 8am and 9am during term times are not what women want.
She asked: “ What consultation have you done with women to know that this is what they want, that this works for them and that it’ll be a success?”
Ian replied, saying: “Since Places Leisure began operating the leisure centres in 2018, there have been no women-only swimming sessions.
“Prior to the redevelopment of Bulmershe Leisure Centre in Woodley,, the town council operated the site for swimming which included women-only sessions.
“However when the site was rebuilt, the pool was relocated with windows adjacent to housing, and the pool is also overlooked by the cafe viewing area so it’s no longer appropriate for women only sessions.”
He added that funding was secured and an agreement was reached with Forest School in Winnersh to fund work there including pool refurbishment.
“Work was scheduled to commence in late 2022, but delays were experienced, meaning the pool work was only completed in June this year.
“The agreement at the time with the school was restricted due to school safeguarding procedures.
“Swimming sessions were allocated for two hours per week before the school day, as the pool is booked every evening for local swimming schools.
“Is also used during the day by Forest pupils, and by nine local primary schools.”
He added that officers are currently in discussions with the school, and are seeking local groups within the community to utilise the offered sessions, in consultation with the Equalities and Diversity Forum.
Laura responded, saying: “How are women supposed to feel that this is the best offer the administration can give them, and how are women supposed to feel that they haven’t been consulted?
“It looks like there was no demand from women at all because it’s so inconvenient.
“We know (between 8am and 9am) that women are going to work or getting children ready to go to school.
“This is a chance for the Council to show that they prioritise women’s health and needs, and this offer is not it.”
Ian responded, asking Laura how women felt when her administration relocated the Bulmershe pool to a position where the sessions couldn’t be held due to the windows being directly adjacent to housing and with a viewing area from the cafe.
“How did women feel about that? Did you consult women about doing that?”
