Anger over delay in Cupar Sports Centre facelift
USERS of Cupar Sports Centre have hit out after a major refurbishment programme was postponed at the 11th hour.
A number of clubs and individuals had made alternative arrangements for the eight-week closure period, which was due to begin on Monday.
Now the centre will remain open until work begins on November 2.
Eric Anderson, president of Cupar and District Swimming Club, was informed of the decision last Wednesday, having already arranged to move the group's training sessions to pools in Leven and St Andrews.
The club now faces the prospect of losing out financially after entering into a monetary agreement with St Leonards school in St Andrews.
Mr Anderson said: "We're saddened by the total lack of communication.
"Our championship heats are scheduled to begin on November 24, when the work is now due to be taking place, so we'll have to find a new venue.
"If they don't go ahead, Fife Council will have let down 150 kids."
Another group to suffer was the East Fife Tri Club, which holds triathlon training sessions in Cupar twice a week.
Secretary Scott Urquhart said: "It takes a great deal of work to try to book pool time anywhere.
"Our chairman worked very hard to make alternative arrangements, which have now been cancelled."
It is thought that some centre users went to the expense of joining private gyms in anticipation of the closure, while staff who did not take leave for the period had to be recalled from other facilities.
Ross Tulloch, of Fife Council's property services team, said the council was "disappointed" by the delay and apologised for any inconvenience.
A statement on the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust's website blamed "delays in the tendering process" for the postponement.
Ed Watson, chief executive of the trust, which runs the centre on behalf of the council, added: "Fife Council advised the trust of the postponement of the planned maintenance work at Cupar Sports Centre late last week.
"This caused some difficulties for the trust, as arrangements were already in place for staff and activity programmes to be relocated to alternative venues for the duration of the closure period."
Scheduled improvements to the centre include replacing the swimming pool roof at a cost of 250,000, overhauling the reception area, replacing all gym equipment and installing a new 100,000 floor in the sports hall.
It is hoped that the refurbishment work will now be finished by Christmas.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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