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Anger over lack of swimming pool in plans for new multimillion-pound school campus at Tain grows across Easter Ross as local doctor flags health concerns


By Louise Glen

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AN Easter Ross GP fears for the physical and mental health impact on a sprawling community if a new swimming pool is not included in a long-awaited £50 million school campus in Tain.

How we exclusively reported the story last week.
How we exclusively reported the story last week.

Dr Sandy Gordon's comments follow our revelation last week that a swimming pool is not included in plans for the new campus, which will see several existing schools – amongst them Tain Royal Academy – replaced with a new build at Craighill catering for kids aged three to 18.

Highland Council says there's not enough money to include a pool at this stage but critics are highly sceptical of claims it will follow "when funds allow".

Local councillor Alasdair Rhind slammed it "totally unacceptable" last week and has been backed up Dr Gordon of Tain and Fearn Area Medical Practice.

Dr Sandy Gordon.
Dr Sandy Gordon.

He said: "If Highland Council do not build the swimming pool now, when they are building a [multi-million pound] school I am afraid I don't believe that there is very much chance of a new pool in the near future. There just will not be the money to build the pool as a standalone project."
He said that while it is understood locally that the old Tain Royal Academy Community Centre pool will be retained, it is only 19-metres long and over 50 years old.
Dr Gordon said a pool is very important for general health and important for water safety in a coastal community where people work in and around the sea.

He said: "There is no way to really measure just how important the pool is for community benefit, for all the groups that swim in the area."

He said a substantial proportion of existing pool users already have to travel to get to it. The prospect of travelling further to Alness would mean longer journeys.

He said: "We need a pool that suits the needs of the community and if the land is to be sold for development, it is highly unlikely that the pool will remain."

A council spokesman earlier said: “The plans include the space for a swimming pool which will be built at a later date when funds allow. We understand that High Life Highland will continue to operate the existing swimming pool at TRA until a new facility is provided."

Funding for the build is coming from the Scottish Government’s Schools For The Future Programme. Kier Construction has been appointed as the design and build contractor working with Highland Council’s in-house property teams.

The new building is programmed to open in August 2024.

In the wake of last week's story, Lorna Mackay said: "Unacceptable for the area to be left without a pool. As an absolute minimum our existing pool resources must be retained and upgraded until a replacement pool can be built. It is utterly ridiculous that we should be left without this important and well used community resource!"

Emma Morrison said the the pool and gym facilities are "a huge part of Tain and outskirts". She said community leisure facilities can act as an important springboard for the start of sports groups, voluntary groups and clubs which engage all members of the community and provide better physical and mental health outcomes. She said: "Mental health in this day and age is very important. The lack of things for the young ones nowadays in Tain is terrible. Social media and gaming seems to be the trend unfortunately resulting in younger generation anxiety and depression. Hopefully things work out ."

Disappointment as no money for pool at Tain super-school campus

Alness Academy new build with pool opens for first time

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