Members to consider allowing £7m swimming pool to open on the sabbath
Island council may overturn controversial Sunday ban
Published:
Western Isles Council will consider overturning a controversial ban against the Sunday operating of public facilities and transport services in the Hebrides this week.
The council has provoked fury with campaigners by refusing Sabbath entry to its £7million flagship swimming pool and sports complex in Stornoway on the largely Presbyterian island of Lewis.
At the same time it permits seven-day operation at council-owned sports facilities in the mainly Catholic islands of Benbecula and Barra.
Lewis has a traditional culture of Sabbath Observance, but in recent years this has weakened with some pubs and shops now trading on Sundays.
Flights also take off from Stornoway to the mainland on a seven-day basis.
The authority remains opposed to ferry operator Caledonian Macbrayne operating a Sunday service between Harris and North Uist.
However, it permits the vessel to use two council-controlled harbours to provide the service and also gets paid harbour dues for the route.
The council will debate its Sabbath Observance policy on Thursday.
About 500 have signed an internet petition in favour of allowing the sports centre to open every day.
Opponents warn it will erode a unique way of life and lead to the commercialisation of a local day of rest.
The council is careful to avoid using religious arguments, as these could be legally challenged under the human rights convention, but it may de- bate the issue on the grounds of local “custom and practice”.
In a report to the council, chief executive Malcolm Burr points out that most Stornoway sports centre staff are not keen on working on Sundays.
He adds that it would require about £18,000 takings annually to stop the Sunday opening from making a loss.
Mr Burr also suggests Sunday trading may even hurt the economy with “the current, limited supply of money circulating in the islands to be spread over seven days rather than six, with consequently little economic benefit and possibly disbenefits due to increased overheads.”
