Moray’s sport, leisure and recreational facilities have come under the spotlight as part of the council’s programme of budget cuts.
The local authority says a wide-ranging study review will help to establish an “affordable match” to the needs of local communities.
The latest study comes against the council’s ongoing savings plan which aims to trim back millions of pounds in the next three years.
If a need is found, money could be spent on some services – but equally, the review will reveal any areas which are losing cash.
Venues included in the review are swimming pools, community centres, football and sports pitches and town and village halls.
People involved in everything from dance groups to football clubs are urged to have their say.
The study, which has been broadly modelled on the ongoing education review of Moray’s schools, will not just look at council-owned venues.
Facilities, such as the Moray Leisure Centre, which is run by a trust but gets a yearly subsidy from the council, will also be considered.
Results are expected to be revealed next spring, around the same time as the school estates review conclusions are made public.
The study will look at the activities at each venue and establish areas which are under-used or which need more attention. The costs of facilities will also be examined by the team.
Sports clubs and local communities will be contacted by the review team over the next few weeks to ensure they are kept informed of the progress.
The overview is being led by a cross-party steering group of councillors – administration members Independent Anne Skene and Tory Douglas Ross, SNP councillor Aaron Mclean and Labour member Barry Jarvis.
Mrs Skene said that the council was seeking a “best fit solution within a reduced budget”.
She said: “We have to look at what we are spending on leisure and recreation facilities to make sure nothing is being underused or money wasted.
“It may be that some investment is needed in certain areas to make the provision adequate, but clearly that is against a backdrop of a diminishing budget.”
A page will be created on the council website to keep people informed and there will be an early opportunity to take part in a survey to gauge opinions.
Local referee Mr Ross said it would be irresponsible not to look at the network of facilities to ensure local need is met.
“This is a big task and I am pleased that the council is using the SportScotland model to help assess provision,” he said.
“Their independent analysis tool will provide objectivity to parts of the process.
“I would encourage everyone who engages in an activity at any of our facilities to make sure their views are known to the review team.”
Starting next month, a series of community briefings will be held at local venues.
Mr Jarvis said that the location does not dictate who should attend.
“There are lots of groups of interest that should attend,” he said.
“People travel extensively to take part in their chosen sport or activity, so the briefings do not necessarily just apply to those living locally.”
Mr Mclean added: “It would be good to see as many people as possible so that we can hear from a wide range of groups and from different activities.
“We have a diverse community and would like to have an input from as many areas of it.”