It is with great regret that the current directors/trustees of Black Isle Swimming Pool Foundation (BISPF) have to announce that the Foundation has been closed and the donations received from the people of the Black Isle over the last decades amounting to £60,000 have now been passed over, in accordance with our statutory duty as overseen by both the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and Companies House, to Puffin Hydrotherapy Pool (PHP) in Dingwall.
The directors of BISPF, after discussion with the directors of PHP are confident that the funds transferred will be utilised in a professional and appropriate manner to further and extend the valuable work of PHP for the benefit of their existing clientele and for the needs of the population of the Black Isle as well.
This decision has been made necessary due to a number of factors outside the control of BISPF over the years which have ultimately resulted in the realisation that the possibility of the provision of a swimming pool on the Black Isle is totally unrealistic at this time, due to the current and foreseeable future financial situation.
One of the main stumbling blocks has always been the requirement of ALL the previously willing grant and loan sources for the local authority to underwrite any potential future trading losses. As this would constitute an open ended commitment the Council felt unable to agree, based on an already declining financial position following the financial crash in 2007/2008 and despite the positive results shown in their own independent business plan for the proposed Pool.
We would like to thank all the many BlackIslers who have supported the efforts to provide a swimming pool over the years, especially all those who have raised funds on our behalf. We are so sorry that all these efforts have failed to be successful.
But now the time has come to accept that the buying power value of the fund is continually reducing and it is better served being utilised effectively for the benefit of the people of the Black Isle rather than simply losing value through time.
Roy Sinclair
Chairman (BISPF)
We are extremely grateful for the large donation made by the Black Isle Swimming Pool Foundation. It will help to maintain the service offered by the Puffin Hydrotherapy Pool for the foreseeable future in addition to acquiring much needed equipment.
We recognise however that our good fortune is a result of the end of a dream to build a swimming pool on the Black Isle. Members of the Foundation have worked tirelessly for many years for this project which has seen members of the public donate significant amounts of money towards its completion.
The combined efforts of the Foundation and members of the public will bec remembered by the Puffin Pool which serves all of the Highland area including the Black Isle.
Thank you once again to the Foundation and people of the Black Isle.
Brian Liddle
Chairman (PHP)
Comments