The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
In the swim with £1m investment
Fife swimmers are hoping to get back in the water with a £1 million investment in the Beacon Centre.
Fife Council’s budget pledge could mean an end to problems with the Burntisland building and let it reopen when Covid-19 restrictions lift.
The pool’s future seemed under threat last year.
Operators Fife Sports and Leisure Trust proposed cuts to opening hours and there were fears that it could close for good as budgets were slashed.
Burntisland Amateur Swimming Club organised a campaign to save it and 5,600 people signed a petition in just two weeks The council later confirmed the building was safe.
The cash announcement has been hailed by the swimming club, which slashed training times because of the ongoing closure. When coronavirus hit, all swimming pools across Scotland closed under lockdown rules.
But unlike other facilities across Fife, the Beacon Centre remained shut even when Covid-19 measures were eased last summer.
This was due to the building’s layout which made social distancing impossible and water quality and air conditioning woes meant the pool could not be made Covid safe.
Fife Labour councillor Judy Hamilton believes the issues will now be resolved but not before April 26 when it is hoped other pools open. The council’s communities spokeswoman said: “The sports and leisure trust suggested closure might be on the cards. That was something we never agreed with. We were trying to do everything we could to keep it.
“The petition organised by the swimming club was signed by almost everyone in Burntisland.
“Obviously we’re in the middle of Covid-19 restrictions but we have now secured the money to make it viable,” she said.
Bridget Fraser from Burntisland Amateur Swimming Club said members are looking forward to the Beacon Centre reopening soon.
“We raised the petition as we were concerned about reduction in opening hours,” she said. We had concerns about the level of investment at the centre.”
The club’s 100-odd members have been unable to use the pool since last March.“it’s been a real challenge,” she said.
“When pools reopened last year we managed to get a bit of time at Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and Bowhill pools. This meant other clubs had to give up times of their own.
“It’s had a big impact on swimmers across Fife.”
The Beacon also includes a gym and synthetic footballl pitch.“it’s key to the wellbeing and health of residents,” said Burntisland Labour councillor Gordon Langlands.
“Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, the Beacon has been shut indefinitely due to issues with water quality, air conditioning and social distancing requirements.
“Hopefully Fife Sports and Leisure Trust will take this opportunity of an upgraded facility to increase footfall, restore staffing levels, increase opening hours.”
The trust is also pleased with the investment. Chief operating officer Wendy Watson said: “The trust has been working hard during lockdown to implement and deliver solutions for the Beacon which will meet the needs of Covid-19 protocols.
“The building’s configuration makes social distancing and other Covid19 health and safety measures more difficult to put in place. We will continue to keep the local community updated on our progress.”