Two Fife sports centres have won national recognition from VisitScotland.
Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre was upgraded from three to four-star status by the tourism body and Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre was awarded three stars.
The former was rated an excellent venue, with particular praise for its helpful staff and cleanliness.
It came just a few points short of achieving the exceptional standard, which would have given it five stars.
The Kirkcaldy centre, which is managed and operated by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, was said to be of consistent high quality in all areas.
Paul Hossack, the trust’s area leisure manager, said: “We are very pleased with the upgrade in our VisitScotland rating, and in particular it’s very rewarding that our customer service was rated so highly.
“We are always striving to improve the customer experience so to have bettered our score in key areas, such as staff friendliness, facility cleanliness and core experience, is a great refection of the hard work of staff.”
Congratulating the team, Councillor Judy Hamilton, convener of Fife Council’s community and housing services committee, said: “Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre has a great range of facilities and programmes on offer and I’m pleased at the recognition that it’s achieved from VisitScotland.
“The leisure centre is an important town centre asset and it’s encouraging to see it continue to grow in popularity, and particularly, that the trust is doing such a great job at engaging with young people looking to be more active.”
Staff and cleanliness were also praised at the Cowdenbeath centre, which recently celebrated its 30th birthday, as was the building’s “very good” maintenance.
The venue is to benefit from the trust’s £1.1 million gym refurbishment programme, which will significantly improve its equipment and gym layout.
Area leisure manager Sharon Johnstone said: “The three-star rating is excellent news for Cowdenbeath and I am particularly pleased that the inspection focused so highly on our customer service and cleanliness.”
