THE impact of £60,000 of savings at Alloa Leisure Bowl should be "as unnoticeable to the users as possible", officials have pledged.

A long-term leisure strategy is now needed after the Clackmannanshire Council budget averted the potential closure of the centre.

Local businessman Mike Mulraney, the man behind operators Wasp Leisure, said the "ground-rule" from the get-go was to ensure measures would not have a significant material impact on the public.

He was keen to highlight that simply raising prices would not work and has never been the way forward for him.

Mike said: "We are conscious of the fact that we serve a community who, as most communities, have got a restricted resources available – they don't have unlimited funds."

The businessman said price increases at the centre had remained below levels of inflation in the past decade and that is still the policy.

He added: "It's not always the case that you put up prices and you make more money.

"In fact, quite often, it can be the exact opposite and we are aware that if someone's got £10 to spend a week, putting the price up doesn't make them have more than £10."

While one or two activities may see above-inflation rises, work is ongoing to ensure the overall price structure "isn't seen as a significant change".

There may be some staffing changes, but avoiding compulsory redundancies is also key.

Opening hours may also shift a little, however, as the centre is currently open beyond the mandatory minimum.

Nonetheless, Mike wants to make sure popular and primary times remain in place, with the service essentially re-shaped.

The businessman also highlighted Wasp Leisure and the council have been working together to find a solution.

He continued: "It's much easier to drive the project forward when both partners are moving that ship in the exact same direction."

Councillor Graham Lindsay, the SNP administration's convener on the People Committee, was keen to emphasise the Leisure Bowl is more than just a pool.

He said: "What the Leisure Bowl provides is a unique service in Clackmannanshire and it's essential it continues until we look at the broader strategy and decide: what do we do and how does that include the Leisure Bowl or how does it provide additional services on top of that.

"We've worked really, really, positively with Mike and Wasp Leisure; we are absolutely on the same page."

A wide range of people and groups use the centre not just for the services on offer, but as a social hub as well and future strategy should reach out to all corners of the county, he explained.

Going forward, Cllr Lindsay is looking at all forms of leisure provision and wants to make sure there will always be a pool for Wee County youngsters to learn to swim.

He added: "Whether that's part of a Leisure Bowl going forward, as a new pool, whether that's within a community campus going forward – that's something this strategy will need to investigate and look at."