Mallaig swimming pool’s long term future has been guaranteed thanks to a £275,000 council grant.
The charity that runs the facility, which is leased from the council, can now begin the task of upgrading the centre as a “community hub.”
Lochaber councillor Allan Henderson argued during yesterday’s (WED) resources committee meeting that plant replacement and refurbishment of the complex was essential to save the facility from “failure.”
The total cost of upgrade is put at £1.1million. The council has now confirmed 24% of the amount.
The £275,000 grant secured may be one of the last of its scale because the council’s resources committee yesterday agreed a new limit of £250,000 for future capital discretionary fund applications.
The leisure centre’s management team wants to “breathe much needed life” into the place.
Mallaig Pool and Leisure chairwoman Fiona Baker, said: “We’re absolutely delighted the council has recognised the value of the pool to the community.
“This is a culmination of three years’ methodical and detailed groundwork by the team of enormously talented, dedicated and largely volunteer board and management to whom all credit must be given.”
She offered gratitude to local councillors Allan Henderson and Ben Thompson who argued passionately in favour of the grant being approved and to fellow councillor Maxine Smith who had backed their campaign.
“There’ll be celebrations but we’re keenly aware that the hard work starts now,” Ms Baker said.
“Over the next three months we await the response of a number of other funding agencies.
“This project will only be entirely successful if we can now deliver the collegiate sponsorship necessary to match fund this significant award.”
