Edinburgh Leisure warn council's proposed cuts will mean price hikes for swimming pools and 3G pitches

Gracemount is on the list of sports centres which could fall victim to the savings

EDINBURGH Leisure has warned the services it provides will inevitably be hit by a proposed £1.5 million cut in its funding from the city council, part of a £88m package of savings being debated by councillors today.

The Evening News revealed last month that a briefing for councillors detailed how sports centres and golf courses across the Capital could have to close if the cut went ahead.

But unveiling the budget proposals this week, council leader Adam McVey claimed the reduction of £500,000 a year for the next three years in the money paid to the arms-length organisation to run the city’s sports and leisure centres should only mean “a slight price increase”.

Tumbles soft play at Portobello was named as one venue at risk under the cuts

And he insisted: “We do not expect there to be closures of local swimming pools.”

Not a 'slight increase'

Now Edinburgh Leisure has hit back, saying a four per cent price hike is not a “slight increase” and adding it has spelled out to the council what the funding cut would mean.

A four per cent rise would make the price of an adult swim for a non-card holder at most pools £5.30 and a child swim with a junior discount car £2.70, while adults hiring 3G pitch would pay £104 per match.

Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho could also be under threat

Other proposals include a council tax rise of 4.79 per cent, ending the council’s £2.1m contribution to policing, a £9.3m cut to social care and a reduction in library opening hours.

The briefing note on Edinburgh Leisure named Ainslie Park, Gracemount and Jack Kane sports centres, together with the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho, Tumbles indoor play at Portobello and “various golf courses” as at risk from the proposed cut.

After the Evening News story, Edinburgh Leisure appealed to customers to write to their councillors, voicing their support for the venues.

Today chief executive June Peebles said: “As a charity and therefore a not-for-profit organisation, ongoing reductions in funding from our main funders, the city council, will have an impact on what Edinburgh Leisure can deliver.

“We shared with council colleagues the potential impact and consequences of a £500k reduction.

“Some of the shortfall will have to be made up by increasing prices but the reality is, it could be as much as 4 per cent, which is hardly ‘a slight increase’.

“In turn, by increasing our prices, we run the risk that there will be a reduction in usage and activity levels and therefore, wellbeing. There is also the associated risk that the budgeted increase in income will not be realised.”

She acknowledged the financial challenges the council faced but pointed to the need for people to live active and healthier lives. “We’re one part, but a very important part of the jigsaw, in creating an active and healthy city.”

The package agreed by the finance committee today will go to the full council next Thursday for final approval.