Sutherland Swimming Pool
Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of Education Culture and Sport Committee will officially re-open Sutherland Swimming Pool in Golspie on Saturday 7th June after a £1.2 million refurbishment by The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service. The new facility now provides a first class environment for swimming, health and fitness which is fully accessible to all.
To thank the local community for their patience while being without a swimming pool for almost two years, the Council has arranged a free Open Day on Saturday 7th June for the public, providing information, activities and fun. As attendance is expected to be high, doors will be open from 11am and a band system will allow swimmers one hour in the pool.
The facility now boasts a fully refurbished 25 metre swimming pool, including a new sauna and steam room to relax in. Existing changing areas have been refurbished to provide an accessible changing area. The engineering and refurbishment works were carried out by Morrison Construction and Skyform.
Swimming lessons are being provided for babies; pre-school children; primary school children over 5 years old; adults; and the over 50s. Classes are also being offered in lifesaving; aqua aerobics; first aid and life guard courses while lane swimming is included in the centre’s swimming programme.
An extended new Fitness Room providing space for a range of state of the art fitness equipment provided by Powerhouse is now available. The fitness equipment includes top of the range cardio machines such as treadmills, elliptical trainers, rowing machines and bikes and various fixed resistance machines designed to give an all over body workout. The Fitness Room will also have supervised sessions for under 16s.
For health and safety requirements, all users will have to be inducted on how to use the new fitness machinery and equipment safely and efficiently. Inductions should be booked in advanced at the Swimming Pool by contacting reception on 01408 633437
The reception area has been relocated and renewed while opened out to provide a much more user-friendly experience for both staff and customers. A new staff room and toilets have also been provided.
Works on the facility have included extensive remedial works including removing the pool walk way and replacing with new concrete. The pool tank was completely retiled and the floor in the pool hall was also retiled. Considerable amounts of structural works were carried out on the building which is not visible to the eye. Works to make the facility meet with requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) were also carried out.
Councillor Bill Fernie said: “I hope that everyone enjoys this excellent new facility in Golspie. I trust that people within the local catchment area and further afield will use it for regular health and fitness visits but also for day trips and holiday fun. I urge those who will use it regularly to make the most of it by signing up for a High Life card to get the best value out of their visits.”
The Highland Council’s High Life card gives all-inclusive unlimited access to facilities and activities for an inexpensive monthly payment. Various High Life options are available to participants including:
• all-inclusive access to all facilities: for just £21.00 family or £15.00 individual monthly direct debit;
• budget access to all facilities: for just 50p per activity if your household is on: Income Support, Pension Guarantee Credit, Job Seekers Allowance (income based), or individuals on Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance; or
• Pay-as-you-go: turn up and pay at reception for any activity in the usual way. You can have a High Life card to pre-load with money so that card holders or their children don't need to carry cash. Under 18’s, over 60’s, or people in full time education get half price access.
Sutherland Swimming Pool is open Mondays to Fridays from 10am to 8pm; and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm, tel: 01408 633437
For further information on Sutherland Swimming Pool please contact: Lisa Hay, Leisure Facilities Manager tel: 01408 633437; or Graeme Ross, Area Facilities Officer tel: 01862 893767.