Fears over future of venues as Edinburgh Leisure finances hit by Covid

Edinburgh trust faces financial hit of up to £8 million

June Peebles says the impact of Covid on Edinburgh Leisure's finances will be up to £8m

THE boss of the Capital’s swimming pools and leisure centres has voiced fears over the future of venues as the Covid crisis eats into their finances.

June Peebles, chief executive of city council arms-length body Edinburgh Leisure, backed warnings from leisure trusts across Scotland that public sports facilities could face permanent closure unless councils provide more support.

A letter from Community Leisure, an umbrella body for the trusts, to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities also warned thousands of jobs could be lost.

Ms Peebles said Edinburgh Leisure had calculated the impact of Covid on its finances over a 12 month period would be £7-8 million.

She said: “The public leisure facilities throughout Scotland are facing huge financial challenges. It’s fair to say we are in crisis.

“We closed in March so since then there is no income coming in. Hopefully we will be opening in mid-September in terms of what we can, but because of physical distancing and the guidance that has to be in place, our income levels will be much lower than before.

“Without financial support it’s leaving swimming pools, gyms and libraries throughout the country just not viable. They are such vital public services, they are valued by communities throughout the country and more than ever at the moment good health and wellbeing is so important - and that’s what we deliver.”

Edinburgh Leisure has already opened all six of its golf courses and the tennis courts at the Meadows.

But Ms Peebles’ comments come after the Evening News revealed on Saturday that just three pools in the city - the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Ainslie Park Leisure Centre and Drumbrae Leisure centre - will reopen when Scottish Government guidance allows on September 14. That will leave seven pools still closed, at Gracemount, Portobello, Leith Victoria, Dalry, Glenogle, Warrender and Queensferry High.

An Edinburgh Leisure spokeswoman said bringing its diverse range of venues and services back to life in a new-normal operating environment was “a big and complex task”.

“The financial implications of reopening venues and services have to be considered prior to any decisions being made.”

Tory councillor Phil Doggart said he was surprised by the comments since Edinburgh Leisure had received its full funding from the council and most of its staff had been furloughed.

But he said: “It’s a huge concern if they think some of their venues are at risk.”

And he said it would be “useful” if Ms Peebles were to brief councillors “rather than operating within an umbrella organisation”.

“We need to know the specifics,” he said.

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