PEOPLE in Clacks will be signposted to available nearby swimming and leisure opportunities this summer as part of interim arrangements.

Officers at Clackmannanshire Council have been working on arrangements to ensure access to swimming facilities in the wake of the Alloa Leisure Bowl closure

In a verbal update to elected members at a special council meeting on Monday, May 31, a senior officer explained the council will be driving forward a communications plan to share all opportunities this summer with a focus on outdoor activities.

Turning her attention to pools, the council officer told the meeting: "Swimming is clearly a priority.

"We've been engaging with a number of providers to ensure that we can make available swimming opportunities for those who want them.

"Covid restrictions are currently operating in all swimming establishments, which severely restricts the number that can access at any one time.

"However, we have had positive responses from Falkirk Community Trust – who manage both Grangemouth [Sports Complex] and the Mariner Centre, Dollar Academy and we are also pursuing Tulliallan [Scottish Police College] – all of which are very close.

"And we've had some early discussion with The Peak in Stirling and Stirling University and also [discussions about] access to Stirling school pools, which are currently closed due to Covid.

"The response so far has been hugely positive.

"Everybody is really keen to support us, other authorities have had to go for similar arrangements in the past when they've been undertaking similar developments as we are, but Covid is restricting the access that we have at present."

As part of their work, officers pulled together information on what is already available on the county and will be putting together a programme of activity for the summer with the aim of not doubling up on provision.

Documents tabled on the day highlighted that there are also separate ongoing talks to support Alloa Swimming Club as part of interim leisure arrangements until a wellbeing complex is built in the Wee County.

The council officer added: "We are also looking at the hydropool in Alloa Academy and making provision to make sure that that's available for children with a disability throughout the summer holidays.

"So we will increase access to the hydropool as we go forward, both for the summer but in the longer term.

"We have been looking at wild swimming as well and we are hoping to make some partnership arrangements with some of the providers – we've got two which are close by in Clackmannanshire."