The future of the Beacon Leisure Centre, Fife’s only leisure pool, is secure, campaigners fighting to save it have been told.
Fears had been growing that the Burntisland facility could face a reduction in operating hours or even outright closure as cash-strapped Fife Sports & Leisure Trust, (FSLT), the body which runs the region’s sports facilities, looked to make savings after being hit with more swingeing cuts to its operating budget.
A campaign to save the pool, set up by Burntisland Amateur Swimming Club, attracted huge public support and over 5,600 signatures in just two weeks.
A delegation lead by Bridget Fraser, swimming club chairman, was at Fife Council’s headquarters on Thursday to hand the petition to Kirkcaldy councillor and convener of the community and housing committee, Judy Hamilton.
Ahead of the handover, Bridget said a savings proposal put forward by the FSLT had gone against agreement put in place in February 2019 that the Beacon Leisure Centre would be safeguarded against further cuts for three years.
She added: “This was supposed to be a three year arrangement, but not much more than a year later further cuts have been proposed. I believe that there is a real risk that further cuts would lead to the eventual closure of the centre.”
However, as public anger grew over the uncertain future of the Burntisland-based facility, Ms Hamilton gave campaigners the news they had hoped for.
“I can assure people there are no plans to close the centre and that an agreement struck in February 2019 protecting the Beacon from any further cuts to its operating hours for three years will be honoured.
“I’ve been heartened greatly by the reaction of the local community in its desire to protect its assets.
“There are no plans to close the centre.”
The news has come as a huge relief for both the town and the hundreds who has sent messages of support for the Save The Beacon campaign from as far away as Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee.
Bridget said the news that The Beacon was safe will come as a huge relief but added that it was now up to the public to “use it or lose it”.
“The episode had not only sent a clear message to the Sports and Leisure Trust of the Beacon’s importance and that it must continue, but it has also acted as a reminder to the public that these facilities are there but they they also must be used,” she said.
“We will continue to monitor the issue as we are realistic enough to realise that there is only a finite amount of budget and funding pressures will continue to exist.
“Hopefully it will also trigger a better relationship and improved communication between the Trust and key user groups going forward.”