Moray Council agrees next steps in leisure investment programme
Moray Council has agreed the next steps in its programme to invest in and improve local leisure and culture facilities, with a focus on keeping services safe, sustainable and fit for community needs.
The Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee this week approved the next steps in the Leisure and Culture Capital Plan. In the first phase, funding will mainly be used for essential design work and preparation for major building projects due in 2027/28 so that plans are fully developed and ready to move towards delivery in future years.
The approach reflects the findings of the recent national review of Scotland’s sports facilities estate carried out by sportscotland.
The national review highlights the significant pressures facing Scotland’s sports estate including ageing facilities, rising running costs and increasing requirements around Net Zero and accessibility. It also points to a need for better data, longer term planning and more targeted investment to support a sustainable estate. This national context has helped inform Moray Council’s approach to planning future investment.
Buckie Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre, Keith Sports and Community Centre and Speyside Sports and Community Centre have been identified as the three main sites for future investment.
Condition surveys across the leisure estate show that several buildings require urgent repairs, with costs estimated at around £1.8 million across five sites. Buckie Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre makes up the largest share of this, with repairs estimated at around £846,000.
For 2026/27, £410,000 of the capital programme will be used to develop detailed designs and plans for future refurbishment work. Smaller amounts will also support essential leisure and library equipment, minor library upgrades and key plant needed to keep facilities operating safely.
The Council is also continuing to explore external funding opportunities to support future improvement works alongside its own capital investment programme.
Chair of the Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “This plan is about making sure our leisure facilities remain safe, reliable and available for communities across Moray. We are prioritising the most urgent needs and getting the planning right so we can improve services in a steady and responsible way. The findings of the national sportscotland review reinforce the importance of taking a long term and data led approach to investment in our leisure estate.”