HUNDREDS of people have signed petitions to stop controversial plans to close Ennerdale Leisure Centre's swimming pools in north Hull.
Plans to close the wet facilities at the centre were recently confirmed by senior Labour politicians at the Guildhall as part of a £1m savings programme involving Hull City Council's sports and culture venues.
However, since they were first announced two weeks ago, the plans have been widely criticised.
Now, Kingston Upon Hull Swimming Club has added its voice, saying: "The council doesn't seem to have thought this through at all."
A petition launched by the Lib Dems, calling for the leisure centre to stay open, has already had several hundred signatures, along with one launched by the swimming club.
Councillor Mike Ross said: "It's clear no one wants to see Ennerdale's swimming pools close and we are calling for these plans to be stopped now.
"Earlier this year, Labour was forced to U-turn over closing Anlaby Park Library.
"They got it wrong then and they have got it wrong now. The plans have caused so much uproar, even Labour backbenchers are distancing themselves from them.
"I hope all Labour councillors who don't want to see the swimming pools closed will sign the petition. They should also publicly pledge to vote against any proposals to close them".
The move has left Kingston Upon Hull Swimming Club, which trains at the centre, facing an uncertain future.
The club has 240 members, aged five and over. In the recent national junior championships, swimmers from the club scooped three gold medals and a bronze.
A petition started by the swimming club states Ennerdale has the only pool that is 25m long, the correct size for swimming competitions and galas.
It has already been signed by more than 200 people and reads: "Hull City Council have suggested the use of pools that are not the correct size, don't have adequate parking and don't have enough seating for parents to sit when their children are competing.
"The community has not been involved in any decisions being made by Hull City Council on the future of Ennerdale Leisure Centre."
