HOPES are high running costs for the council at Alloa Leisure Bowl can be reduced to keep the facilities open beyond this September.

As previously reported, budget cut proposals from officers at Clackmannanshire Council indicated the local authority could save £273,000 in the forthcoming financial year if it ceased its contract with operators.

Council documents indicated "this could result in the closure of the centre" and a petition against the move, which drew 1,462 verified signatures and thousands more online, was last week heard in the chamber at Kilncraigs.

Principal petitioner David Clarkson was invited to the People Committee's special meeting last Tuesday, February 19, to put forward the case to keep the facilities open.

He explained that under threat are the county's only public swimming pool, gyms, a popular indoor bowling rink, a café where many socialise, more than 80 jobs and three independent businesses with a further around 10 positions.

David warned that if the closure goes ahead, the Wee County could become the only area with no leisure facilities at all.

He argued the loss of the swimming pool would be a massive blow to Clacks and when asked by Councillor George Matchett, poolside supervisor David confirmed that The PEAK in Stirling is the closest alternative.

When asked by Cllr Donald Balsillie, he also said that there has been an indication from users of the facility they would rather pay more to attend the centre than see it closed.

Taking the case further forward, the chief petitioner also highlighted the indoor bowling arena is used by more than 350 bowlers on a weekly basis, they come not just from the local area but all over Scotland as teams visit.

Moreover, both senior and junior local teams boast Scottish Champion titles.

Local businessman Mike Mulraney, who in the past won tender to run the facilities, previously said the decision was in the council's hands.

At the time of writing, the committee hearing the petition was due to give a written answer to David.

However, chair Cllr Graham Lindsay already indicated at last week's meeting that work was ongoing to find "alternative options" for the Leisure Bowl.

Speaking to the Advertiser, his SNP group leader Cllr Ellen Forson highlighted the facilities were now more than 30 years old with the building "coming to the end of its natural lifespan".

She said: "Officers put forward what they saw was a fairly feasible proposal and we've been looking at that to try and think what else we could do to try and keep a leisure provision going.

"We've been talking with Mike Mulraney about the contract, about whether there could be potential savings made.

"He's been absolutely fantastic, so we are hopeful that we'll be able to get a reduced cost for the council to continue providing the current services until a future leisure strategy is developed."