By Marianne Flood
A DERRY mum has hit out a ‘ridiculous’ new regulations at a Council owned swimming pool that state every child under three must be accompanied by one adult.
The woman, who did not wished to be named, says she can no longer take her eldest two children who are aged two and four swimming at Templemore Sports Complex, pictured above.
In the past she would take her daughters to the pool while her husband looked after their baby son.
“I’ve been taking my two eldest girls swimming every weekend for years and it has never been a problem,” she explained.
“Nobody asked what age they were.
“My husband would stay at home and watch our youngest who is nine months, but under these new regulations he’d have to come too and then there would be no one to watch the baby.
“What are we supposed to do? Take them swimming one at a time? It’s ridiculous.
“My girls are four and two and I’ve never felt that I couldn’t keep them both safe in the pool.”
The woman said the new rules have called an end to a family activity they all enjoyed.
“It was really good for us because the girls got in free because of they are under five.
“We would spend a whole morning at the pool and it got them out of the house and it was good exercise, which we are always being told is important.”
A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said: “The current admission policy at Templemore Sports Complex is aligned with industry standard guidance which has always been in place and is being strictly applied and adhered to in the interests of health and safety.
The spokesperson added that new, industry-standard guidance has been recently established, and Derry City and Strabane District Council are currently reviewing this in line with its operational practice.
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