A petition has been launched by Aviemore residents in a last-ditch bid to allow continued affordable access to the town’s only swimming facilities.
Talks between High Life Highland and the Macdonald Resort which owns the pool have so far not resulted in a contract renewal.
That has led to locals fearing they could lose the facility that was described as an “integral” part of the community on May 31.
This week, community councillor Joe Kirby launched a petition aimed at saving the swimming pool that already has more than 500 signatories.
Mr Kirby said: “It is not just Aviemore – Badenoch & Strathspey communities are as keen as anyone to see the situation resolved.
“Macdonald’s is a fantastic facility, High Life Highland are fantastic. We all just hope that an agreement can be reached that can benefit all three parties.”
The whole community would be affected according to Mr Kirby as the pool is an “integral part of everyone’s life, from small kids using the pool to pensioners going for a swim”.
High Life Highland offers members affordable access to dozens of leisure facilities and activities across the region with swimming lessons offered to Aviemore kids at the Macdonald Resort included as part of the membership.
A public meeting has been called to take place in the Cairngorm hotel next Thursday when the contract officially ends between Macdonald and High Life Highland.
A spokeswoman on behalf of The Highland Council and High Life Highland said: “The offer of another three-year arrangement which would see the Resort continue to be paid £180,000 per annum has been rejected by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts.
“The Highland Council remains open to discussions until the contract expires at the end of May, however an increase cannot be agreed.”
A Macdonald Hotels spokesperson said: “We are in dialogue with Highland Council.”
The move would see the nearest swimming facilities offered under High Life Highland at the Craig MacLean Centre in Grantown, a journey of 15 miles for residents of Aviemore.
Councillor Bill Lobban said: “I would hope that we can reach an agreement before the contract runs out especially when the relationship between local residents and the resort have improved massively in recent years.
“Macdonald Aviemore Resort are not just a major employer in Aviemore but more and more they have become part of the community and it is important that we retain this relationship as we go forward.”