Leisure centres across Aberdeen could be hit by budget cutbacks as the city council tries to find £26million of savings.
Sport Aberdeen, an arms length body funded by the council to the tune of £5.5million a year, could suffer a 2% reduction in funding.
The charitable trust runs many of the council’s popular facilities including the Beach Leisure Centre, Lynx Ice Arena and numerous swimming pools and golf courses.
And there is even worse news for members of Aberdeen Sport Village, with a £20,000 cut being proposed.
The revelations were made by the ruling Labour, Conservative and Independent alliance as they sent an open letter to the citizens blaming the Scottish Government’s funding settlement for the cuts.
The full budget announcement will be made in the Town House today, where heated scenes are expected between administration and opposition councillors.
A reduction in funding to repair potholes, less grass cutting and a reduction in street cleaning and deep clean work around the city centre are all on the table.
Controversial parking charge increases also have not been ruled out.
Drivers parking in the city centre could be charged £2 for up to 30 minutes, £4 for an hour and £6 for up to two hours, instead of the current £1 for 20 minutes, £2 for 40 minutes, £3 for one hour and £4 for two.
I is expected the administration will not directly cut any jobs in their proposals.
Last night finance convener Willie Young said the cuts would be made “with a heavy heart”.
He said: “Just months ago we thought we would be able to achieve a surplus of £2.26million until we were hit by a huge £26million cut.
“I know these cuts are really disappointing for the citizens of Aberdeen but we are committed to balancing our budget while keeping our reserves healthy and securing the future of the city.”
But SNP group leader Jackie Dunbar said that councillors should be looking “closer to home” to make savings.
She said: “The SNP will present our alternative budget that contains ideas that I think the people of Aberdeen will be pleased with.
“There is still fat that needs to be trimmed from the council and we should be looking closer to home at how to do it.”
“It’s funny how they go on about cuts from the Scottish Government and never mention the cuts coming from Westminster.”