Borders communities given time to save swimming pools

Consultants had recommended closure for dozens of facilities in the Borders

Communities in the Borders have been given time to find a solution to avoid the permanent closure of their swimming pools.

The future of Jedburgh and Selkirk leisure centres - along with about 30 other facilities - was in doubt after recommendations were made by consultants to shut them down.

Integris Consultancy was drafted in at the start of the year to look at making the charity Live Borders - which runs a range of sites on behalf of the council - financially sustainable.

Community takeovers will now be explored at Jedburgh and Selkirk, with deadlines next March and in spring 2029.

Jedburgh leisure centre could re-open next year under proposals for a new trust to operate the facility

A number of sites such as the Focus Centre in Galashiels and St Ronan's Wells in Innerleithen are still to close under cost-cutting measures.

Live Borders has been operating at a loss of about £3m each year since the Covid pandemic.

Since 2023 the organisation has required an additional £6m of emergency funding from Scottish Borders Council (SBC) on top of its annual management fee of more than £5m.

That led to proposals from consultants to shut up to 30 buildings and reduce the workforce by about 50.

After consultation, the council has drawn up scaled back plans for how to take the service forward which will seek approval next week.

SBC leader Euan Jardine said the independent review had been a "good starting point" but had not reflected the views of communities.

"The proposed solution, including a significant transformation of Live Borders, is a programme of action which delivers for Live Borders and our communities," he said.

"It is not simply about closures, cutting services or saving money.

"There are real opportunities for positive service developments, for investment into facilities and for increased community control."

Euan Jardine said the consultants' proposals had not reflected the views of communities

Bill Douglas, the chair of Live Borders' board of trustees, said: "I think it is clear from the breadth of recommendations developed that we have listened to our communities and that, wherever possible, we've tried to preserve facilities and services.

"This is about delivering more for our communities and securing the long-term future of sport, leisure and cultural services across the Scottish Borders."

Community takeovers will now be explored at both Jedburgh and Selkirk leisure centres but with different timescales.

If no viable solution is found in Jedburgh by 31 March next year that site - which is currently closed - will stay shut for good.

In Selkirk, the deadline to find a way forward with the community or a third party is 31 March 2029.

The council will be asked to agree to a "reciprocal redeployment arrangement" between itself and Live Borders to avoid redundancies "where possible".

Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton welcomed the proposal to try to find a way forward for the Laidlaw Memorial Pool, which shut in December last year.

"I'm really pleased the council has acknowledged the community's ambition and desire for having a swimming pool again in Jedburgh," he said.

"The pool has played a significant part in all our lives and its loss has been felt by many.

"If the recommendations are approved next Thursday this will enable the community group the opportunity to progress their plans and bring forward a proposal that should see the doors of the Laidlaw Memorial Pool open once more."