Only one swimming pool likely when Falkirk Community Trust reopen facilities

This is the date First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave last Thursday for reopening of these facilities.

But the trust has admitted that it is not ready to allow customers back to its fitness centres yet.

However, it has given a date of September 7 when it hopes to open the outdoor area at Grangemouth Stadium.

One week later, on September 14, it plans to open the stadium’s indoor area, the Mariner Centre and Stenhousemuir Gym.

No date has yet been given for reopening of Bo’ness Sports Centre or Grangemouth Sports Complex.

This week a trust spokesman said: “We can confirm that we are working towards an opening date of September 14 for the swimming pool, soft play and health and fitness facilities at the Mariner Centre.

“However, we must stress that this is subject to the satisfactory completion of all of the required safety tests currently being carried out in conjunction with Falkirk Council.

“As regard to Grangemouth Sports Complex and Bo’ness Recreation Centre, we are continuing to work towards confirming reopening dates for these venues and will let customers know as soon as possible.”

Fears in the community that the Bo’ness centre was being “mothballed” were denied by the trust.

In a statement on its website, the trust stated while it was good news that the First Minister had given the go ahead “before we can reopen, as our buildings have been closed for so long, we have a programme of work to complete along with the council”.

It added: “Falkirk Community Trust’s plan to reopen takes into account the needs of our community along with restrictions on the number of customers and staff we can accommodate safely. People are at the heart of everything we do and we will only reopen facilities when it is safe to do so.

“We need to undertake a number of safety tests (including water, electricity, fire alarms, etc.) and, where problems are detected, arrange for remedial work to be undertaken.”