By Graeme Bletcher

DUNFERMLINE COUNCILLOR Willie Sullivan has hit out at Fife Council’s decision to upgrade the Carnegie Leisure Centre instead of financing a new build.

The grade B listed building will undergo a £17.2 million revamp to be completed in 2011, leaving Dunfermline without a public swimming pool for around two years.

Mr Sullivan claims that alternative options were not fully investigated and that the council failed to listen to constituents.

He said, “I have been asking for other options to be properly investigated for over a year and a half, with no success.

“Councils in other areas have been able to get a good new build for less money than we are having to pay to restore this site.

“And why are we not getting the same facilities as the likes of Perth swimming pool where they have flumes and other features for children?”

Mr Sullivan also claims the council have tried to cover up mistakes made in the planning process and have ignored his requests for discussion on the choices available.

He said, “If I had seen any evidence to compare the merits of a revamp with a new build then I would not have a problem with the decision, but that has not been allowed to happen.

“I think it is a mistake to renovate a Victorian building which could perhaps be put to other use.”

Historic Scotland and the local sports council were consulted when finalising the design for the refurbished pool.

Modern changing facilities will be provided in addition to a sauna, steam and spa, while the training pool is to be replaced with a six-lane 25metre pool.

An indoor play centre for children will be created alongside a new reception area, two new aerobics studios and an improved health and fitness suite.

The main contract starts in April next year with completion in autumn 2010.

This will be followed by an official re-opening planned for January 2011.

Grant Ward, the council’s senior manager for community services, said, “The decision to refurbish rather than replace Carnegie Leisure Centre was taken by Fife Council in October 2006.

“It followed consideration of both options, including a wide-ranging and robust consultation exercise being carried out by independent research specialists TL Dempster.

“Over 75% of residents and 90% of local sports clubs favoured the retention and upgrading of Carnegie Leisure Centre.

“The basic economics haven’t changed in the intervening years.”

Mr Ward added, “To replace a facility the size and scale of Carnegie Leisure Centre on a like-for-like basis would be significantly more expensive than the refurbishment option.”