AN Annandale pensioner has spoken out following what he believes are unjustified price increases to the memberships at Dumfries and Galloway Council leisure facilities.
Ronnie Ross raised his concerns after learning his monthly membership would be increasing from the £22.50 pensioner’s rate to a flat rate of £30 – a £90 increase over the year.
Every week the 72-year-old attends Annan Swimming Pool to keep active.
He said: “It’s gone up from the 1st of April. I’m too old to go and lift weights – the only thing I’m getting out of this is the swimming pool for half an hour, two or three times a week.
“The swimming pool won’t be a cheap thing to run, but my extra £7.50 a month is not going to heat it up any more.
“£360 a year it costs me to go swimming. I just think that’s a bit much. I feel something should be said.”
Ronnie added: “I have worked as a joiner, served my time and paid into the economy from a young age.
“Since becoming older I’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure and cholesterol and have been encouraged by my GP to remain active to help combat this.
“I understand the cost of living has increased for everyone, but it does seem to me in this scenario that pensioners have been targeted.
“The reason for my gym membership is to improve my quality of life, to live as long as I can for my family and to stay fit and independent.
“I go swimming as it is an excellent form of exercise. This is me taking ownership of my health and not waiting until I’m lying in a hospital bed hoping someone else can fix me.
“NHS Dumfries and Galloway is in significant financial crisis having to save millions of pounds, so you would think their neighbouring agencies would be supporting rather than hindering with this momentous task.”
He added: “I do wonder how many thousands it would cost the NHS if I had a heart attack or needed significant treatment for my condition? What if I then needed community support after this?
“It does not seem logical that the pensioners who are more likely to suffer debilitating illness are now being penalised for trying to help themselves and in turn help their local NHS and council.
“I have been advised that this increase was passed by councillors. So, I ask them for their justification – are us old guys just living too long?”
When asked about the price increase, a council spokesman said: “The decision to remove this discount was taken by elected members as part of the council budget setting process, agreed upon on February 27.”
