Campaigners rally to save historic pool

The Evening News revealed last September that the Dalry Swim Centre was one of four local sports facilities at risk of closure under cost-cutting plans by Edinburgh Leisure.

Campaigners have already collected nearly 2000 signatures through a series of petitions to try to secure the future of the Victorian-era building.

A "Save Our Baths" website has also been set up to gather support, while hundreds of people have joined a Facebook page promoting the campaign.

Organisers hope that the rally taking place this weekend will see scores of supporters converge on the Caledonian Crescent facility.

Cate Taylor, treasurer of the Gorgie Dalry Community Council, which has organised the campaign, said: "Everyone we have talked to is very concerned about this. The pool is well-used by all types of people.

"The Grove Swimming Club moved to another venue because of a refurbishment about 20 years ago and its membership completely tailed off.

"This is a well-used and well-loved asset, so people feel strongly about the threat of closure. Yes, they say no decision has been made, but we know that once that decision is made it will be very difficult to reverse."

Petitions have been gathered from shops, community centres and libraries across the Gorgie and Dalry area, and Edinburgh Central MSP Sarah Boyack and local councillor Donald Wilson have also been collecting signatures.

It first emerged early last month that members of the board of Edinburgh Leisure had been told the closure of Dalry Swim Centre, as well as Kirkliston Leisure Centre, Crags Sports Centre and Portobello Golf Course, could be needed as part of savings currently being considered by the company, which manages the council's sports facilities.

Edinburgh Leisure is facing a second successive 4 per cent cut to its funding and estimates that around 800,000 of savings could be needed next year.

The company confirmed three weeks ago that it had provided the city council with three months' notice of its plan to shut Crags Sports Centre.

Ms Boyack said: "The response to the petition has been magnificent with over 2000 signatures and I am sure that number will swell over the weekend. The council must sit up and take notice of the views of the community."

A crunch Edinburgh Leisure board meeting will be held early next month, where board members are expected to decide on more cost-cutting measures.

Edinburgh Leisure's interim chief executive John Comiskey said: "No further decisions have been made at this stage."

Saturday's demonstration at Dalry Swim Centre is scheduled to last two hours from 2pm.