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Tom Daley, the Olympic diver, has expressed strong support for the ongoing campaign to preserve one of Scotland’s remaining diving pools, located at the Citadel leisure centre. He described the planned closure of this facility as “heartbreaking,” emphasizing its crucial role in nurturing diving talent. Should this pool close, club members would be forced to travel 180 miles to reach the nearest alternative diving pool in Edinburgh. Daley warned that shutting down such facilities could seriously hinder the development of diving in Scotland.
The retired British diver, who has competed in five Olympic Games and earned a collection of three bronze, one silver, and one gold medal, spoke about the importance of local diving pools. Reflecting on his own career, Daley noted that he was fortunate to have access to a diving pool in Plymouth, which was essential for realizing his dream of becoming an Olympic champion. He expressed concern about the impact of pool closures when there are no nearby facilities to take their place, stating, “These small facilities are feeder pools to go into the bigger facilities like the pools in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.” He added, “Sometimes these smaller pools are where the talent is found that could be the next Olympic champion.”
Beyond the sport itself, Daley highlighted the wider community benefits of diving pools. He said, “It is not just about finding the next Olympic champion either, it is about community.” Emphasizing the broad life skills gained through participation in diving clubs, he noted that such environments foster confidence, teamwork, fitness, and a love for sport. “So many young people rely on these facilities as a place of joy and hope,” Daley added, underscoring the emotional and social significance these venues hold.
South Ayrshire Council has stated that their decision to close the diving pool was made after careful consideration of “significant operational, environmental and financial pressures” that threaten the long-term viability of the facility. A phased closure was set to begin on Monday, 20 April. The council acknowledged that 59 current users, including Ayr Diving Club members, would be affected but stressed that reallocating access from diving activities will create 700 additional Learn 2 Swim places. This initiative aims to reduce waiting lists and enable more children and young people to develop essential water safety skills earlier, delivering what the council describes as a “substantial and much-needed community benefit.”
Following his retirement in 2024, Daley has become a familiar figure on British television, appearing on programmes such as Celebrity Bake Off and Celebrity Gogglebox. He now hosts the competitive knitting show Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter, filmed in Ayrshire. Daley expressed disappointment that he would no longer be able to train at the Citadel while filming the show’s second season, lamenting, “I would have loved to pop in and do a couple of training sessions there, but that option is being taken off the table.” He urged for the closure decision to be reconsidered, warning it would be a “very sad day” to lose yet another diving facility, especially given the emerging talent within Scotland
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