There are “zero discussions” being held about closing the Loch Centre permanently and it is hoped the pool will “reopen by summer”.

Those were the words of Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry ward councillor Colin McGinn who was questioned at last Tuesday’s (March 21) Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council meeting about when the centre’s swimming pool was likely to reopen.

The Loch Centre swimming pool was closed “until further notice” last month after an inspection found problems with the roof of the building.

READ MORE: Tranent: Loch Centre swimming pool closed 'until further notice'

Neil Ellis, vice chair of the community council, questioned Mr McGinn whether the pool, which is over 50 years old, would ever be reopened.

He said: “Will consideration not be given by the council as to whether it is cost effective to repair the facility.

“The building itself has been there over 50 years and I wanted to know if it was being considered that a new facility may be more cost effective?”

However, Mr McGinn rubbished the idea that considerations were being made to close the centre and stressed that it was hoped that the pool would reopen by the summer.

He said: “It will be looked at what is the most cost effective thing to do. A new centre would cost millions and I can’t see the roof repairs costing anything like that.

“There are zero discussions being had about closing the centre permanently. Zero. I think it is hoped that all the repairs will be completed by the summer.

“I would like to think we can get a further 15 to 20 years out of the centre or more if repairs are carried out.

"The building has been well kept over the years, but it needs improved.”

Due to the closure, Tranent Amateur Swimming Club (TASC) has been forced to move swimming sessions to Musselburgh and Mercat Gait swimming pool.

READ MORE: Tranent: Loch Centre swimming pool could be closed for months

Mr McGinn said he was glad to see that TASC were still able to run sessions.

He said: “I am delighted to see that groups like Tranent [Amateur] Swimming Club have managed to find new venues to train.

“There is a great swimming ethos in East Lothian so I am glad this has not been too badly disrupted.

“I believe the council are doing what they can but the bottom line is they are still investigating how long it will take to repair.

“We are hoping in the next couple of weeks we will have a better understanding of timescales.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Option appraisals are being progressed and we are unable to confirm a timescale for repairs at this stage.

"An update will be provided as soon as possible. We appreciate the patience of the community at this time.”