Scottish Borders council to consider closing list of pools and libraries

Borders Council is considering closing several pools and libraries throughout the county to address “significant financial and operational challenges.”

At least five libraries throughout the Borders are slated for closure, along with four swimming pools, six community centres, multiple museums, and town and public halls.

It’s all part of a Borders Sporting and Cultural Estate Review, which is looking at the future of Live Borders, the charitable trust that runs facilities on the local authority’s behalf.

Councillors were presented with a range of proposals – including closures and selloffs – to consider during a full Scottish Borders council on Thursday.

They were told that both the council and Live Borders are facing “significant financial and operational challenges in maintaining their extensive sporting, leisure, and cultural estate”.

“Rising energy costs, ageing infrastructure, and declining participation levels necessitate a strategic transformation of leisure, cultural, and community assets,” the report said.

“This review sets out a long-term vision for a high-quality, modernised estate. The ambition is to create the right suite of facilities that are fit for the 21st century and beyond.”

The independent report from Integratis Consulting was adamant that the current situation is “financially unsustainable”.

Live Borders required £2.5m of additional council funding in the last financial year – over and above the annual £4.8m management fee – to keep services and facilities operating.

“There is therefore a shared understanding, reflected in the independent consultant’s report, that the status quo in terms of services, facilities and funding is not viable,” the council report said.

That’s why the council has been asked to consider a range of “significant” proposals – including closures, selloffs, and consolidations.

What’s on the line?

Among the facilities recommended for closure are Selkirk Swimming Pool, the Wilton Primary School swimming pool, the Queen’s Leisure Centre and the Tri Fitness gym in Galashiels.

The report also advised that Jedburgh’s Laidlaw Pool should remain closed.

Libraries in Earlston, Eyemouth, Coldstream, and Hawick are recommended to be shut down or consolidated with other services.

Old Gala House, Abbey Row Centre in Kelso and Sir Walter Scott’s Courtroom in Selkirk are also on the closure list while the bowling hall at Tweedbank and sports hall at the Gytes in Peebles are proposed to be turned into fitness gyms.

If the proposals are accepted wholesale, the Mary Queen of Scots’ Visitor Centre and Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum could also introduce new visitor charges.

The council acknowledged in the report that the proposals are “significant”, and that it will be “critically important” to fully understand the impacts before decisions are taken.

“It is important to note that no decisions on the future provision of services or associated buildings are being made at this stage, with significant further work required from communities to consider all options available,” the report added.

The council said it would take a “staged approach” to considering any changes that are proposed.