The opening of Kirkcaldy’s multi-million-pound leisure centre has been delayed.
The state-of-the-art facility is set to open in September months later than originally planned after a number of drainage issues were detected at the site.
Fife Council has confirmed the delay, meaning that the existing swimming pool, located hundreds of yards away on the Esplanade, will remain in use over the school holidays.
Andy MacLellan, sports partnership manager with Fife Council, said: “There are a number of water and drainage issues still to be resolved which, unfortunately, are causing delays to the project.
“We had planned to have the new facility open late on in the summer but it now looks as if the second half of September is a more realistic target.
“We’ve therefore agreed to keep the existing Kirkcaldy Swimming Pool open for the school summer holidays so that kids don’t miss out on the council-funded free swims initiative.”
The £15.3 million centre has experienced a troubled start to its life, having been delayed from the outset due to a series of planning rows.
The construction phase of the project, however, is understood to have gone relatively smoothly, with the centre looking in fine shape when The Courier was granted an exclusive tour of the building in January.
MSP David Torrance has described the delay as “disappointing”, while town councillor Neil Crooks said that he had hoped to see the pool open on time.
Mr McLellan said that, despite the delay, internal work at the new centre was progressing well.
“The building is now completely watertight, following the installation of the big picture window overlooking the Esplanade, so the internal fitting out is moving forward at pace,” he added.
“The sports hall is almost complete and the finishing works to the swimming pools have just got under way.”