Plans to delay the reopening of a Fife leisure centre which the community fought to save have been branded “ridiculous and unacceptable”.
Burntisland Conservative councillor Kathleen Leslie has questioned Fife Sports and Leisure Trust’s blueprint for a phased reopening of its facilities, with the town’s Beacon Leisure Centre not expected to open its doors to the public until October 26.
Rumours were rife at the start of the year that there were plans to close the Beacon, a move which was flatly denied by the Trust. Thousands signed a petition calling for an end to cuts to its provision.
Ms Leslie said locals would be concerned the centre is not one of 13 across Fife due to open from mid-September onwards.
“The Beacon boasts a swimming pool which is used as both a leisure pool and by a local swimming club, and a gym that is also well used by people in the town,” she said.
“It should be opening in mid-September along with other centres not left until late October. That is both ridiculous and unacceptable.
“The longer it remains closed the more revenue is lost and the more likely people are to look elsewhere for their gym and swim. That benefits nobody.”
Emma Walker, chief executive for the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, said councillors had been told the phased approach to re-opening was because some sites are more compatible to achieving the necessary level of social distancing than others.
“The Beacon Leisure Centre presents a number of challenges due to its layout and swimming pool configuration under the Covid-19 health and safety guidelines,” she said.
“We were able to demonstrate to the elected members this position and they understood our approach which prioritises the health and safety of our customers and staff.
“The trust is eager to get doors open and welcome back customers and we will do so as soon as we are able.”
That approach has been backed by Labour councillor Judy Hamilton, convener of Fife Council’s community and housing services committee, who praised the “tremendous amount” of work being done to reopen the Beacon safely and in line with current guidelines.
“We are anticipating a gradual and sensitive re-opening in coming weeks and months – and I thank the trust for their attention to the detail of this,” she added.
