A petition set up to defend a popular Fife leisure centre from cuts to its opening hours and the threat of closure neared 5,000 signatures last night.
The Courier revealed earlier this week that the Beacon Leisure Centre in Burntisland was being considered for further cuts, despite an agreement brokered in February 2019 between Fife Council and Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, the body responsible for running sports facilities across the region, that the Beacon would be safeguarded against cuts for three years.
Bridget Fraser, chairwoman of Burntisland Amateur Swimming Club, which has existed in the town since 1886 and been based at the Beacon since it was built over 25 years ago, set up the public petition in a bid to highlight the public anger over the possible long-term threat to the Beacon’s future.
She said public support for the Beacon has been overwhelming in the short time it was launched.
“Not only are people living in Burntisland horrified by the possibility of losing such a vital facility form the town, people from right across Fife and further afield from places like Dundee and Edinburgh are equally concerned too,” said Bridget.
“There is no other similar facility within at least 12 miles.
“The pool is accessible due to the large car park, lift and sloping entry into the water.
“Most local people aged 25 and under learned to swim here, and there is still an ongoing massive demand for swimming lessons.
“I believe that there is a real risk that further cuts would lead to the eventual closure of the centre and we must do all we can to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
The petition attracted more than 2,500 signatures of support in its first day after it was launched online and reached over 4,300 on Sunday afternoon, with many residents expressing their dismay.
Carol Bailey said: “This is a well used leisure centre, especially the swimming baths. Swimming lessons for children are excellent and the staff are great. It would be a tragedy to lose it.”
Elizabeth Witton signed the petition, adding: “I use this facility every week. If you reduce hours further my alternative, along with other residents my alternatives are Kirkcaldy pool with no parking facilities or Cowdenbeath, miles away.”
Kirsty Tait, said: “I understand the financial pressures brought by austerity however we need to start working together on these decisions, having open and honest discussion and the ability to explore all options/ opportunities. It’s not a binary choice.
“Trust the community, be open with them and let them be part of trying to find a way forward.”
The petition can be accessed here.
It comes after Fife councillor Neil Crooks resigned from the trust last week, fearing “death by a thousand cuts”.
At the time, Wendy Watson, the trust’s chief operating officer, said: “No decision has been made on the current operating hours of the Beacon Leisure Centre.
“Any decision to amend the level of service, at any of its facilities, due to budget pressures is taken in conjunction with, and full agreement of, Fife Council – it is not Fife Sports and Leisure Trust’s preferred position to alter operating hours that affect its customers.”
