COUNCIL chiefs are to meet officials from a Selby swimming club in an attempt to thrash out a compromise deal in an ongoing row about changes to training times.
Members of Selby Tiger Sharks will sit around the table with Steve Martin and Richard Griffiths, of Selby District Council's community services department, and councillors Mark Crane and Liz Casling to discuss the restructuring of the club's practice times at Abbey Leisure Centre.
The two sides have been arguing about the changes, which followed recommendations by the Audit Commission to increase public access to swimming at peak times.
Mr Martin told the Evening Press that the meeting was suggested by the council's Social Board when the Tiger Sharks turned down the latest revisions, which had a deadline of July 1.
"We are hoping that the meeting will throw up some common ground, but clearly something has to give.
"The residents of Selby are asking for more peak-time swimming access, but that means offering the Tiger Sharks hours that are probably not as convenient."
The recent National Lottery grant received by the club to train and coach swimmers was welcomed by Mr Martin. He said that the council recognised the need for the work the Tiger Sharks did.
Mr Martin said: "We have said in the past that there is a place for both and it is now a case of how we get round the problem.
"There has been some give on their part, but we also offered them free use of the gym to work on fitness."
He said that possible compromises included sharing pool sessions with public swimmers or moving a number of training sessions to the pool at Barlby High School.
"The downside of sharing sessions is that only a small group of swimmers can train.
"But if we can resolve the issue of upgrading the facilities at Barlby then I believe everything can be sorted out.
"Bob Lawrence at Abbey Leisure Centre is working with North Yorkshire County Council to get the facilities upgraded so we may have a solution."
The meeting is due to take place next Monday.
Updated: 12:09 Thursday, July 03, 2003
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