Brock blasts criticism of sports cuts

THE city's culture leader today hit back at criticism of cuts to sports funding in Edinburgh.

Councillor Deidre Brock said any council administration would face "terribly difficult decisions" in the current financial climate.

Her comments came after it emerged that council officials are proposing a 347,000 cut to the funding of Edinburgh Leisure, the company that manages sports facilities on behalf of the council.

A hit list of facilities that could close has now been drawn up by Edinburgh Leisure.

The Crags and Kirkliston leisure centres, Dalry Swim Centre and Portobello Golf Course could all close.

Alternatively, the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho could shut, along with one or two of the smaller facilities.

Opposition councillors have said that the company has suffered "death by a thousand cuts" from the council administration, but Cllr Brock said: "The very harsh reality, as opposition members well know, is that any council administration in power at this time would be facing terribly difficult decisions."