Mearns Conservative Councillor George Carr has said he can see no reason why a swimming pool cannot be delivered in Laurencekirk following a discussion at Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee.

Cllr Carr said “We are currently looking at our facilities in Aberdeenshire and part of that exercise will be looking at our sports and leisure provision under an asset management review. I have long expressed the view that a pool be delivered for Laurencekirk and we were successful in projecting that vision into the construction of the new Mearns Academy Community Campus. An area of ground is already designated for the future construction of a pool.

“If there is a will within the Community to take this forwards then we can pick this up and feed it into the process with the most important factor being inclusion into Aberdeenshire Council’s future capital plan. A local campaign group would help greatly to achieve this, in conjunction with identifying genuine need.

“One of the most important aspects of a swimming pool is not necessarily the building of a pool, but the running costs. However, I would suggest that Aberdeenshire Council act as facilitators here and look at different funding models and alternative ways to reduce running costs.

“Future development and expansion of our Mearns communities through our Local Development Plan can also assist with financing and justifying a pool.

“There are so many health benefits of having a pool for young and old. Current access to pools in Montrose or Stonehaven are already stretched and having a facility in south Aberdeenshire would make sense!”

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