Sports centre axed in cuts

A SECOND Edinburgh sports centre is to close down later this month after attempts to save it failed.

The Queensferry Recreation Centre, which includes two outdoor football pitches, an outdoor basketball court, a tennis court and an indoor sports hall and changing rooms, is to be closed by Edinburgh Leisure on March 27.

The move is part of the sport trust's attempts to stabilise its financial position in the wake of cuts to its funding from the city council.

Edinburgh Leisure and council chiefs have been trying to find ways of keeping the facility open but no alternative providers have been found - meaning it will become the second city sports centre to close in three months.

The closure comes just months after the Crags Sports Centre was forced to shut after Edinburgh Leisure said it could no longer afford to keep it open.

It is understood that a series of organisations are in talks about reopening the Southside facility, and 12 notes of interest are thought to have been lodged. Attempts to find operators for the Queensferry centre have not been as successful.

Councillor Norman Work, who represents the Almond ward that includes South Queensferry, said: "They were trying to get community groups interested in running the facility but sadly that has frittered away. Queensferry Rugby Club were interested and they are disappointed they did not get the support from the local community to help them keep it open."

Edinburgh Leisure has been trying to find an alternative provider since late in 2009 but has now confirmed that the facility will have to close.

Councillor Gordon Munro, culture and leisure spokesman for the Labour group on the city council, said: "It is very disappointing that the centre is to close and that, between council officers, Edinburgh Leisure and politicians they could not come up with a solution."

Edinburgh Leisure has had to look at cutbacks after facing two successive four per cent cuts to its council funding.

Neil Brown, director of customer services at Edinburgh Leisure, said: "Following a decision made by the board on November 12, 2009, Edinburgh Leisure will withdraw its management of Queensferry Recreation Centre from the end of March 2011.

"Edinburgh Leisure fully consulted the local community about its plans and has held several public meetings on this subject since April of last year, whilst seeking alternative operators of this facility. Unfortunately, no formal approach has been made at this time, and we expect to return the facility to the control of the council at the end of this month."

A saving of around 60,000 a year is expected to be made by closing the centre.

Councillor Deidre Brock, the city's culture leader, said the council was likely to advertise that the lease is available for the Queensferry facility.

She confirmed that attempts to find a new operator of the Crags Sports Centre were continuing - with a closing date for bids passing yesterday.

She said: "There's been a very encouraging number of notes of interest for the Crags. Meanwhile, discussions are progressing regarding public access to the Queensferry Recreation Centre's synthetic and grass pitches."