New campus approved but lacks pledged pool

The long-awaited community campus in Tain was given unanimous approval by councillors yesterday, but the plans are being criticised because they lack a promised swimming pool.

Tain councillor Derek Louden said it had been a “very, very long and arduous task” to get to this point and he hailed the “much better environment” for teachers and students that would be provided.

But he acknowledged there are “still issues in regard to what isn’t there”.

Tain residents took to Facebook this week to ask why the multi-million-pound campus doesn’t include a pool, as first planned.

“Where’s the swimming pool?” asked Dave McDougall on the Tain Community Facebook page. Fiona MacDonald also commented: “The original plans had a swimming pool in the new school.”

Some Tain residents complained about the lack of a pool during the public consultation.

The council’s planning report states: “Reference is also made in representations to the lack of swimming pool provision and internal layout. The proposed development with respect to its facilities and how it is laid out internally has essentially been arrived at following extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.

“It is noted that the submitted plans do make provision for a swimming pool to conceivably be provided in the future.

“In the meantime, it is understood that Highlife Highland will continue to operate the existing swimming pool at the academy until a new facility is provided.”

Opinion on Facebook was divided, with some complimenting the design and others calling for

the council to provide a pool.

“Who needs gardens and orchards that nobody will look after?” wrote Sandy Mackenzie. “It will just get overgrown. The less groundwork the better. More like sense putting all that money towards a new swimming pool.”

Page moderator Fiona Macleod defended the plans, writing: “I love the idea of gardens and orchards for teaching younger generations more about our environment and sustainability.”

But she added: “I am surprised at a pool being overlooked and hopefully it can be accommodated somewhere.”

Mr Louden tried to reassure people that a pool is not off the table for Tain.

Councillors, stakeholders and parents are working together to try to get the pool built, he said.

A council feasibility study is now looking at the cost of retaining the pool at the old academy and the cost of a replacement.

Mr Louden said Sport Scotland is interested in helping, and he hopes it may part-fund the project.

He paid tribute to the hard work of his ward colleagues and asked the public to support their efforts.

“Everyone is anxious but, for once, everyone is united,” said Mr Louden. “We all want to see the pool built.”

MAKING A SPLASH: Tain’s new community campus was originally planned to include a pool, but it has been dropped from the approved proposal.

An artist’s impression of how the completed Tain community campus will look.