Call for 'concrete commitment' to upgrade Haddington sport centre

Concerns have been raised as to how Aubigny Sports Centre will cope with the increasing population of the town, with more than 1,000 homes being built on the western edge of Haddington.

Visitor numbers, excluding spectators, to the sports centre on Mill Wynd have risen by more than 35,000 over the last four years.

In the last calendar year, more than 195,500 people passed through its doors.

Fiona Bain, who has lived in the town for more than a decade, last week set up a Facebook page called Campaign to Upgrade the Aubigny Sports Centre.

The online page already has more than 500 followers and describes itself as a “campaign to upgrade or replace Haddington’s much-loved but ever-so-slightly tired sports centre. Like this page to gather ideas, information and updates.”

Fiona said that calls for upgrading the sports centre, which opened in 1974, had been “a recurring theme” among residents.

The centre was expanded in 1991 to include a sports hall, dance studio, gym and cafe – all built around the existing swimming pool.

She added: “I would like to see an extension to the building that takes advantage of the beautiful location – an extension that is lighter, fresher and the necessary repairs to the structure are carried out.”

Suggestions had previously been made for a second sports centre in the town to be created.

However, Ms Bain felt that expanding the existing facility was preferable.

She said: “I think, to be honest, expanding the existing sports centre would be better.

“My reasoning is that it is very well located.

“It is right next to Neilson Park, it is right next to the schools, and it is right next to the river paths for people to do canoeing, walking, running or cycling on the paths and take advantage of the river.”

More than 1,000 houses are being built at sites in Haddington, with the majority at Letham Mains.

As part of the Letham Mains planning conditions, more than £500,000 has been set aside for the sports centre.

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council confirmed that the money would go to the Aubigny Centre but not until more than half of the Letham Mains development was completed – which is not expected to be until 2020 at the earliest.

Housing developments in the town closer to completion, such as at Dovecot and Gateside, are not being asked to make a financial contribution to the sports centre.

Ms Bain is keen to see something put in place to ensure work is done at the sports centre to cope with the expected increase in user numbers.

The mum-of-two said: “I would like to see a concrete commitment from the powers that be – whether that is enjoyleisure, sportscotland or the council – that there will be an increase in capacity of the centre for the expanding population.”

John Hamilton, of the town’s community council, is a regular user of the sports centre.

He said that the facility could be very busy, particularly when children’s swimming lessons were held.

Similarly, he described it as “frustrating” when traditional sports were sharing the gym hall with activities such as exercise classes.

He said: “Dance classes are very popular and having them side by side, from experience, is not conducive to the traditional sports with all their background noise.”

Bill Axon, general manager of enjoyleisure, which operates the centre, stressed that talks were ongoing concerning the sports centre and Haddington’s expansion.

He said: “We are in discussion with our partners East Lothian Council about the best approach to address Haddington’s increasing population with respect to capacity at Aubigny Sports Centre and the forthcoming housing developments.

“We are aware of an agreed developer’s contribution and when access to this funding becomes available we will collectively determine the most appropriate way of using the funds to benefit the community of Haddington.”