Sport Aberdeen is closing two leisure facilities in response to funding cuts and the ongoing energy crisis.
Established in 2010, the charity manages and delivers physical activity and sport services on behalf of Aberdeen City Council.
On 1st March 2023, the council confirmed that it was reducing funding support by £687,000. The charity said closing Beach Leisure Centre and Bucksburn Swimming Pool was the only way to protect its long-term interests.
“Given the scale of financial challenge, coupled with energy price increases, it was made clear that in the event of a significant funding reduction we would be unable to sustain all the services and facilities we operate,” said Tony Dawson, chair of Sport Aberdeen.
“Both parties reluctantly accepted that in such a circumstance it would be necessary to cease the operation of Beach Leisure Centre and Bucksburn Swimming Pool, and base future provision at the remaining leisure assets in the city.”
Cllr Alex Nicoll, co-leader of Aberdeen City Council, said Beach Leisure Centre is at the end of its lifecycle and a new facility is planned as part of the Beachfront Master Plan.
“The leisure pool closed last year due to a combination of rising energy costs and problems with the pool plant infrastructure, and it is simply uneconomical to carry on. The council will arrange for the building to be taken down and the site cleared to make way for future developments.”
Meanwhile, in a joint statement, Aberdeen City Council and Sport Aberdeen said the cost of solving issues at Bucksburn Swimming Pool were prohibitive and the site of the pool was needed to create space for additional schools buildings.
“Unfortunately, there are significant issues with Bucksburn Swimming Pool plant, linked to the age of the facility, which would cost over £400,000 to address.”
Both venues will close on 16 April 2023.
