Operators warn Borders pool may permanently close 'soon' - unless it's thrown a financial lifeline
Last updated 22nd Aug 2024
A swimming pool in the Scottish Borders could "soon" close permanently - unless it’s thrown a financial lifeline.
Jedburgh Leisure Facilities Trust, which runs the town’s Laidlaw Memorial Pool, blames soaring gas and electricity bills.
Last year it was awarded £127,000 from Scottish Borders Council to introduce a series of energy saving measures in a bid to cut costs.
But today (Thursday) it's issued a public appeal for donations while it awaits the outcome of a plea to the local authority for more funding.
In a notice posted on its social media page, a spokesperson says: "We are sorry to tell you that we may have to close permanently soon.
"We have been struggling financially because of huge increases in our electricity and gas bills.
"We contacted the Council in April because they partly fund us, and they have given us some advance payments.
"We had assumed that they would treat us the same as Live Borders but will only know that on Monday. Our financial needs are miniscule in comparison.
"We are hopeful but, if they don't support us, we have no option but to close."
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Earlier this summer, it was announced Scottish Borders Council is poised to take back control of some services currently operated by Live Borders, which manages many of the region's pools, leisure centres, libraries and museums.
The Jedburgh spokesperson said: "Our main problem is outstanding debt, and if you can make donations to reduce it this would encouragethe Council to give us additional support."
Locals say the closure of the pool and gym at Jedburgh would be "a really terrible loss".
Some have blamed a lack of investment and exercise classes, while plans for a proposed facelift had already been scaled back due to “budgetary limitations”.
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Local councillor Scott Hamilton has described the announcement as "alarming and deeply distressing".
And revealed emergency meetings are now scheduled with council officers.
"The pool has been an asset much-loved, not only by the people of Jedburgh but also the surrounding communities," he said.
"We firstly need to understand how this financial position has come about and what business plan the trust has to make the pool more sustainable going forward."
The local authority's deputy leader says town councillors will continue to work with council chiefs in a bid to keep the pool open.
Councillor Hamilton continued: "The Council pays an annual management fee to the pool and, alongside council colleagues, we secured a £100,000 grant for the trust to help make the pool more energy efficient at the start of 2023. The commitment by SBC and councillors is resolute."
He added: "Going forward, for any facility to survive in the current climate requires a multitude of support avenues, and I would encourage all those in the community where possible to use these facilities, otherwise they simply become unsustainable."
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