Leisure services are in crisis so don’t shoot the messenger, Phil – Steve Cardownie

I was concerned (but not surprised) to read in yesterday’s paper that public sports facilities could face permanent closure unless councils provide more financial support.

There are fears Edinburgh's pools could remain closed

June Peebles, the chief executive of Edinburgh Leisure has warned: “Without financial support it’s leaving swimming pools, gyms and libraries throughout the country just not viable. They are such vital 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.”

Unless extra financial support is forthcoming there is a very real threat that the facilities currently temporarily closed might never be in a position to re-open their doors.

Conservative Councillor Phil Doggart, rather than just deal with the issue, has also taken aim at June Peebles, saying that it would be “useful” if she were to brief councillors “rather than operating within an umbrella organisation”.

Community Leisure is one of several ‘umbrella organisations’ that operate within local government in Scotland, which is why it has written to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to warn it of the dangers facing public leisure facilities due to inadequate funding to bridge the financial gap caused by Covid-19 and the lack of income due to the enforced closures.

Cllr Doggart would be better served heeding the message rather than moaning about the manner in which he received it.

Let’s hope that an invitation will soon be on its way to Edinburgh Leisure to brief city councillors on the current position. But what is more important is what their reaction will be to this stark warning.