New Meadowbank sports centre set to reopen

THE NEW Meadowbank Sports Centre will open on 19 July, following delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and snagging of the new building.

The Edinburgh Leisure team are about to move into their new offices at Meadowbank and the public will now be able to use the new facility. The £47million project is a state-of-the-art community sports facility built on the site of the original Meadowbank, which closed five years ago. It was built for the first Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh in 1970. It was also used for the 1986 Games.

The new facilities are accessible, and indoor facilities are much improved with multi-sport halls with seating, gym with triple the number of exercise stations and three large fitness studios.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m delighted that we can now confirm when the doors for this fantastic new venue will open to the public. Meadowbank, I believe is one of the country’s top community sports centres, and features some of the most state-of-the-art fitness facilities in Britain. I very much look forward to seeing it bustling with sporting activity through the wide range of activities and classes.

“Participation and accessibility is at the heart of the Centre and the huge physical, mental and social benefits Meadowbank will bring to generations of local people simply can’t be overestimated. Bright welcoming spaces are flooded with natural light, providing welcoming and versatile halls, where a real variety of sports and activities will take place. Meadowbank has been an important part of Scotland’s sporting history for many years and I’m sure the new Centre will build on this legacy.”

Edinburgh Leisure’s Chief Executive, June Peebles, said: “I’m delighted that the finishing line is in sight, and we are finally able to announce the opening of this new flagship venue. It’s been a long time coming but I promise you it will have been worth the wait.

“The forthcoming weeks before we open, will see Donald Goldsmith, the manager at Meadowbank, and his team getting the venue cleaned, prepped and ready for our public opening on 19 July.”