CAMPAIGNERS have reached their crowdfunding target of £11,400 to “stop Sabbatarians spoiling Sunday swimming” on the Isle of Lewis – but the council still refuses to back down.
The National Secular Society (NSS) appealed to Scots to help raise enough money to pay for a 12-month trial of Sunday opening, claiming councillors said no to opening the Ionad Spòrs Leòdhaisa (ISL) Sports Centre for religious reasons, although they insisted it was because it would cost too much.
With more than 85 per cent of the £11,400 needed raised by the campaigners, the NSS stepped in and paid the outstanding amount to ensure success for the crowdfunding initiative.
Pauline Matterson of Lewis campaign group Families into Sport for Health (FiSH) said: “We are delighted to receive the support of the National Secular Society who recognise that the FiSH campaign for Sunday opening of ISL [sports centre] has been persistently thwarted on religious grounds.
“FiSH has worked respectfully within the council’s processes and procedures for the last decade in raising the issue of Sunday opening. While FiSH is a health-focused, community organisation, the Western Isles has a history of Sabbath observance and some councillors have stated that the issue of Sunday opening is one with religious connotations. Prior to the introduction of the Equality Act in 2010, the local council stated religion as a reason for the absence of Sunday operations. Recently, it has stated the reason for not opening is financial.
Matterson added: “FiSH is pleased to help the council overcome their stated financial shortfall. The 1,550-plus members of FiSH and other supporters are hopeful that this financial contribution will be treated in the same manner as other local groups who were successful in their request for additional weekday hours.”
However, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar told The National last night that crowdfunding success altered nothing and denied religion had anything to do with its decision.
A council spokesman said: “The Comhairle considered this matter in October of this year and agreed not to proceed with a trial Sunday opening. This is a democratic decision by the local authority based on an objective assessment of the likely costs and the employment and operational issues involved – not just purely financial issues.
“It is a local matter which should be determined locally by elected councillors who are best placed to assess the issues and the local demand for a service.
“It should be noted that the Lewis Sports Centre already has generous opening hours – amongst the longest in the north of Scotland.
“The Secular Society is incorrect in its assumption and assertion that the sports centre is not open on a Sunday for Sabbatarian reasons.”
Alistair McBay of the National Secular Society said the council now had “no option” but to open the swimming pool on Sundays and described the council’s response to their fundraising success as “appalling”.
“We are delighted to be able to support these families in the Western Isles and their health initiative. As secularists, we have no objection to Sabbatarians staying indoors on Sunday and observing the Sabbath according to their custom but they need to understand that not all islanders share their religious beliefs.
“The local council now has no option but to open the leisure facility for the trial year. Thank you to all who donated and made this victory possible.”
Lewis has a long history of religious fundamentalists blocking services from opening or running on Sundays, and Cllr Neil Beaton said the council should distance itself from a “stifling sanctimonious Sabbatarian shroud.” In 2010, there was strong opposition to the start of a Sunday ferry service between Stornoway on Lewis and Ullapool on the west Highland coast.
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