Sport Aberdeen has announced it plans to close Hazlehead and Kincorth swimming pools. (Picture: Jim Irvine)
Sport Aberdeen chiefs are to begin six weeks of decommissioning work at two Aberdeen swimming pools as they close their doors for the final time on August 21.
The arms-length council body was faced with a funding gap after Aberdeen City Council slashed its budget by £405,000 earlier this year.
Sport Aberdeen argued the Kincorth and Hazlehead pools were not used enough to justify keeping them open.
However, hundreds of people have subsequently signed a petition calling for the facilities to be saved, with Aberdeen’s Olympic swimmer Robbie Renwick also criticising the decision.
But, last night, Sport Aberdeen wrote to city councillors informing them the board was sticking to its decision and confirmed transition works would begin during the next six weeks.
The letter from managing director Alistair Robertson stated: “During the next 6 weeks, my colleagues and I will work alongside your own officers to manage the close down and decommissioning process.”
SNP education spokesman, Alex Nicoll, was critical of the closure confirmation.
He said: “Obviously, we are disappointed since we had put forward a costed plan to keep these two important community facilities [open].”
Six week countdown for end of threatened Aberdeen pools
