FAMILIES who want to use a Johnstone swimming pool and gym are being left frustrated by a lack of access.

The Johnstone Community Sports Hub, which was closed for a year-and-a-half as a result of the Covid pandemic, reopened months ago but restrictions on who can visit during the school day remain in place.

This is because the hub is part of the Johnstone High campus and there are concerns visitors could spread the virus to those at the school.

That has led to some residents criticising the hub’s operators OneRen, formerly known as Renfrewshire Leisure.

There are also claims that, even when the general public are allowed to use the pool, it is too cramped due to the number of lessons taking place.

West Scotland MSP Neil Bibby said he has heard from a number of constituents who are fed up with the current arrangements.

He added: “It is surely time for a safe and phased return to pre-pandemic levels of public access. It is a community hub, after all.

“It is long past time for the council and OneRen to set out their plans and proposed timescale to enable a safe but swift return of the public to full use of their facilities.”

Iain McMillan, who is standing as a Labour candidate in the Johnstone South and Elderslie ward in May’s council election, said: “These are community facilities and the community should have them back.”

A spokesman for OneRen said it is “fully committed to offering greater public access to Johnstone Community Sports Hub” whenever possible.

He added: “We regularly review arrangements with our colleagues at Renfrewshire Council, with the hub in use by the school to deliver curriculum physical education and after-school activity on a daily basis.

“At the present time, Scottish Government guidelines only allow access to pools within the school day to those who are essential to support learning and teaching.

“Minimising access to the site during school times as part of Covid-19 mitigation measures reduces risk among the school population. As guidelines evolve, we hope that public access arrangements will too.

“We recently worked with the authority to reinstate public usage in the mornings before school lessons begin and after 4pm, which has been much welcomed.

“During times of public access in the swimming pool, we are working to maximise the space we have available to ensure that everyone has the opportunity for a swim.”