A Fife sports centre has been saved from closure following a drive to cut costs and boost user numbers.
The axe had been hanging over the Waterstone Crook centre in Newport for almost a year following last year’s council budget setting exercise.
It had been earmarked for potential closure in 2013/14, much to the concern of local sports groups and councillors.
However, it has now been announced that the centre will remain open at least for the next three years.
The move has been welcomed in Newport, where local councillors Tim Brett and Ron Caird had argued for discussions with all the sports organisations who use the centre and the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust which runs it on behalf of the local authority.
”The trust arranged to do a community survey in Newport, Wormit and surrounding areas,” said Mr Brett. ”I chair the group that has overseen this and we met again last night where we were advised board members of the sports and leisure trust have decided not to go for any closures and the threat to the Waterstone Crook centre has been lifted.”
Mr Brett revealed a number of ways to reduce costs had been looked at and it was agreed last year that opening hours should be cut.
He added: ”I’ve asked the sports and leisure trust to come back with an action plan to see if there are any other things we can do to increase the use of the facility.”
Mr Caird added: ”It’s very important to have a place like that in the locality so this news from the trust is very encouraging.”