Reunion will recall halcyon days at Lochside Leisure Centre

Memories of Lochside Leisure Centre, which sits abandoned and boarded up in the Forfar Loch Country Park, will be relived at a reunion on Saturday April 28.

Cec Lowry, the centre’s first manager from its opening in 1975 until 1980, has gathered around 30 people for the get-together.

He said: “I was greatly saddened to learn last year of its closure and possible demolition and decided I had to do something.

“I have arranged a dinner in the Strathmore Rugby Club to celebrate the life of a centre that held many happy memories for me.”

Cec is hoping to hear from other former staff members, or those who ran or attended a variety of sports clubs, who may be interested in attending the celebration.

He continued: “I want to get as many people to attend as possible who were around in that era.

“I played for Strathmore Rugby Club and it will be a joint event.

“Bruce Munro, who worked for me at the centre and also played rugby with me, is helping in the town.”

Cec came to Forfar after training as a PE teacher.

He taught at two secondary schools in County Durham before switching to sports centre management where he specialised in the setting up and opening of sports and leisure facilities.

He ended his career as assistant director of sport for Manchester University in 2002 and is now a freelance author specialising in the Second World War in the Far East.

Anyone wishing to attend can contact Cec on 07523 881358 or Bruce on 07910 163079.