Port Edgar

[marisca]

It would appear that Edinburgh Leisure, having decided to quit the marina business, have now decided to also get out of the sailing school. I understood that the school had been doing ok but .......

[BlowingOldBoots]

Thats a shame as it they run very good courses as far as my son is concerned regarding dinghy and day boats. It was council funded sailing that got me involved with sailing and led to a career in sail training: Strathclyde Park and Blairvadach Sailing and Outdoor Centre. It's narrow minded of them. Where did you hear about this, if you don't mind me asking?

[Arghiro]

Probably a consequence of the Govt cutting council grants.

They have to save money somewhere & Leisure would seem to be a prime "non-essential" target. However, proper buiness management probably could have made it a money earner.

But then, sensible decisions were never any council's forte were they?

[Fingal]

I think it's a shame. There may be some politics behind it. As a regular visitor to Port Ed over quite a few years, one of the things I have noticed is the virtual disappearance of the formerly common sight of local authority school minibuses bringing groups for activities during the week. Still plenty of private schools using the facility so maybe the decision is partly about not continuing to effectively subsidise private education from public funds. On top of the subsidy that charitable status already provides of course.

[Zophiel]

In other countries in northern Europe leisure and recreation are generally thought of as good things and are funded as a matter of public policy. There's a sailing school in practically every village. In Britain all forms of recreation apart from watching sport on the telly are seen as slightly shameful and frivolous. So there's no room for one wee sailing school in the capital of Scotland.

Also a sailing school isn't a tram and is therefore not worth funding.

End of rant.

[marisca]

Where did you hear about this, if you don't mind me asking?

From a group posting by the Commodore of PEYC.

[Ocklepoint]

Trams and Tories

All the services in the city are suffering.

[BlowingOldBoots]

I think it's a shame. There may be some politics behind it. As a regular visitor to Port Ed over quite a few years, one of the things I have noticed is the virtual disappearance of the formerly common sight of local authority school minibuses bringing groups for activities during the week. Still plenty of private schools using the facility so maybe the decision is partly about not continuing to effectively subsidise private education from public funds. On top of the subsidy that charitable status already provides of course.

It's likely to be only about spending cuts, there is not a lot of money about. I am sure course fees paid for by the parents of private school pupils are just as welcome as other sources. In fact, I would propose that the council would welcome the facility being used by the sons and daughters of wealthy parents so that the council can continue to provide subsidised sailing to those who would not otherwise be able to afford it.

Anyway, we still have the climbing centre to shut down. The biggy is Lothian buses; they will probably have their £4MM subsidy pulled once the trams start.

[pagoda]

I thought it was quite lightly subsidised (?)
Both my sons learned to sail there, since they could not abide cricket as a sport option. One got as far as Volvo Youth squad, the other is more of a natural, instinctive sailor, but both enjoyed the place a lot. I recall sailing out of there a few times myself , Dart 18s and Topper Buzz, quite an interesting time with tide & bridges! The staff were very friendly, and said the private school use of the establishment (fees ..) went a fair way to making the sport available to most of the local authority schools in Edinburgh. The fees were passed straight on to parents of the private scholars, so a natural cross-subsidy was going on.
I think it's pretty sad the local council does not see the place as a major asset, and I worry about the Cumbrae Watersports centre for similar reasons. It at least is called the National Watersports Centre.
My wife is taking a small group to Cumbrae next week for an introduction to sailing.
The centre is busy... thank goodness..