Dingwall Leisure Centre’s six-times-a-week visitor looks back on 50 years of memories
A ROSS-SHIRE leisure centre at the heart of its community has been part of Doreen Munro’s life “since day one” - and that was almost 50 years ago.
Doreen recalls taking her two boys to swimming lessons at Dingwall Leisure Centre in the early days and managing to fit in a ladies night in the pool on Tuesdays.
These days, at the age of 77, she’s a familiar figure at spin classes, body pump and circuits, making it along to the Tulloch Avenue facility close to the town’s secondary school up to six days a week.
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With Dingwall Leisure Centre preparing to mark its half century in November, operator High Life Highland has a weekend of special events planned – including a display of old photographs and memorabilia.
The charity is now putting a call out to members of the community and further afield, seeking images of events from years gone by, taken at the facility.
Ian Goode, High Life Highland leisure manager, said: “We have a host of fun activities for the local community to enjoy over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th November to celebrate 50 years of the Dingwall Leisure Centre, including a 70s’ style roller disco and prices to match!
“There will be a good helping of nostalgia and to help with this we are keen to source lots of images from throughout the decades – although the older the better! I’m sure there are people with pictures of sports days or civic events that have taken place at Dingwall Leisure. If they would be happy to share them with us, we would be delighted.
“We are hoping lots of people will come along on the anniversary weekend and help us to celebrate this milestone.”
Dingwall Leisure Centre has a swimming pool, sports hall, gym and a community sports hub. It has evolved during its 50 years but remains the centre of community life in the county town.
Doreen, who has contributed a photograph of her own, said: “In the early days I used to take my two boys to the swimming pool every Thursday with lots of other mums and Tuesday night was ladies nights in the pool. We were also there every week for playgroup.
“Nowadays – now that I am retired – I am there six days a week at spin bike classes, body pump and circuits and I still go swimming two or three times too. Dingwall Leisure has been an enormous part of my life for all these years. You are always guaranteed a warm welcome and I have made so many friends.”
If you have any old photographs, memorabilia or memories like Doreen that you would like to share, to help celebrate Dingwall Leisure’s 50th anniversary please email dingwall.leisure@highlifehighland.com or pop into the centre and speak with a member of staff.
