Ministers to splash out on Commonwealth Pool

Published on Friday 18 April 2008 10:30

THE Scottish Government today announced an extra £1 million to help refurbish Edinburgh's Royal Commonwealth Pool.

Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell said the money would help ensure the revamp went ahead and give the Capital a lasting legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The pool is due to host the diving events at the Games, but needs a major refurbishment.

The 37m project hit funding problems because of rising costs and the city council's change of plan over the sale of Meadowbank Stadium, which was due to provide some of the cash.

The Scottish Government is already contributing 4m towards the revamp through funding from sportscotland.

But Mr Maxwell said: "I have been following the situation in Edinburgh and I felt it was appropriate we provided another 1m towards the Commonwealth Pool.

"In terms of the legacy from 2014, it's important we get facilities not just in Glasgow but also in other parts of the country.

"We want to ensure we don't have a two-week festival but a central event that allows us to provide a legacy going on for decades. Revamping the Commonwealth Pool will do just that."

The refurbishment will include a 50-metre, eight-lane pool; a reorientated 25-metre diving pool; a 25-metre pool; new soft play facilities; an expanded gym and redesigned changing areas.

Mr Maxwell said: "I want to make sure the project to bring the Commonwealth Pool into the 21st century goes ahead and it gives people a first-class 50-metre pool and diving facility for the next several decades.

"Anyone who has been to the Commonwealth Pool recently – and I include myself in that number – would admit it's not the best facility in the world. Frankly, it's cold and a bit dilapidated.

"It is essential we have a first-class, top-notch facility in Edinburgh. That's why I wanted this money to go there."

He said the extra cash would create a greater certainty and enable the council to take the project forward.

He said: "They are trying to put together a package of funding for the pool and that's a challenging thing to do.

"I want to help out with that and so we are increasing the overall allocation. I think it will be widely welcomed by the council and others that Edinburgh's importance to the Games and nationally is being recognised." Last month, SNP Lothians MSP Ian McKee asked the Scottish Government to consider removing listed building status from the Commonwealth Pool on the grounds it was no longer fit for purpose and could not be upgraded.

But Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said the necessary planning and listed building consents were in place for a fully workable scheme.

There had been no mention of any problems in upgrading the facilities, she said.