Kirkcaldy’s new multi-million pound leisure centre is a facility that local people can be proud of.
That was the verdict delivered by Ed Watson, chief executive of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, who said that the new complex will revolutionise the way that people in the town think about health and fitness.
He was speaking as The Courier was given an exclusive first look at the new centre, which will open its doors to the public on Monday.
The striking £15.3 million structure is opening later than planned due to drainage problems at the site, however, Mr Watson says that visitors will forget about any delays once they enter the building for the first time.
“It has certainly been worth the wait,” he said.
“We have worked very closely with Fife Council and it is great to have been given the opportunity to be a part of the work going on here.
“But it has been frustrating at times because we just wanted this centre to be up and running.”
The trust is expecting 230,000 visitors to the centre in its first year 100,000 more than its predecessor and a sign of the confidence that those behind the project have in the facility.Photo gallery: First look at new Kirkcaldy Leisure CentreA vast consultation process took place during the development phase of the project, with suggestions clearly having been taken on board to ensure that the public gets what it wants.
Swimming clubs, for example, can swim 50 metre lengths after designers, making the most of the space on offer, chose to incorporate a 16.67 metre pool, three lengths of which will meet the requested distance.
Mr Watson added: “We are very hopeful that the local residents will be impressed with the quality and choice available at their new centre.”
The centre replaces the old pool which closed its doors in August after more than 30 years of service to the town.
However, the new facility has undoubtedly had an inauspicious start to its life, from rows about its location, to legal wrangles over access rights to the site.
The former car park was chosen in order to help boost footfall in the town centre, an issue that had been debated strongly at the planning stage.
However, hopes are high, now that the centre is set to open, that everybody in Kirkcaldy will benefit.
Asked how important the new centre is for the town, local councillor Neil Crooks said: “It is critical for the people of Kirkcaldy.
“People have been crying out for this for a long time.
“We have good facilities but most of them have been in schools and the problem with that is getting access, although we are working on that.
“The theorists say that having the facility here will help to regenerate the town centre and I will be delighted if that happens.
“But the main thing is that people from Kirkcaldy now have opportunities that they have never had before.”
The opening of the new pool in Kirkcaldy will complete a £55 million investment by Fife Council in local leisure facilties.
A refurbished Carnegie Leisure Centre in Dunfermline re-opened in February 2012, while the £21 million Michael Woods Centre opened in July.