The Stornoway sports centre is to test demand for earlier openings following a call from an island swimming club.
Western Isles Council agreed to a 7am start, one hour earlier than usual, four days a week, during a year long trial at an additional cost of £2,600.
Voluntary organisation Swim Western Isles said it was the best time to allow talented young swimmers to train before school.
It will split the extra cost with the council after getting funding from sportscotland.
The success of islanders on a national stage spurred councillors on to encourage their efforts.
They heard of a number of young swimmers who are demonstrating great ability including Kara Hanlon, from Stornoway, who qualified for the Commonwealth Games trials in Glasgow and only missed qualification for the Commonwealth Games team by a fraction of a second.
Scottish Swimming and High Life Highland highlighted the major impediment relating to the development of swimming which concerns the provision of suitable pool time available to talented athletes.
The 7am opening will also allow the public to access both the gym and pool facilities.
