Letter: Capital's sport enlightenment

I REFER to the interview with Stewart Harris of sportscotland ("Sports chief says Scotland 'in dark ages'", 15 August). I agree all local authorities must work to ensure our future Scottish sporting heroes can develop their talents in well-equipped, fit-for-purpose facilities.

This council has very clearly demonstrated our strong commitment to Edinburgh's aspiration of becoming the most physically active city in Europe by 2020 by investing in community and school sports facilities across the city. Indeed, we have garnered praise from sportscotland itself for our investment in such diverse venues as the new Saughton Skatepark, Glenogle Swim Centre and the new sports pavilion in Inch Park, which sportscotland heralded as an example of exactly the kind of multi-sport "hub" facility they would like to see replicated across Scotland. Work is also well under way to transform the Royal Commonwealth Pool into one of the UK's premier aquatics facilities, with the British Olympic Swimming squad booked in to train there in summer 2012.

These are very challenging times for all public bodies and we are facing some incredibly tough budget decisions. It's vital we all work together to give our nation the bright sporting future it deserves.

Deidre Brock, Culture & Leisure Convenor for the City of Edinburgh Council