Public consultation planned for Highland Council proposals on future of TRACC leisure facility that could put Tain’s only swimming pool at risk
A Highland Council review on the future of Tain’s main leisure facility could see the town lose its only swimming pool as part of a new set of proposals.
The local authority is preparing to launch a public consultation on what is next for Tain Royal Academy Community Complex (TRACC), with a range of options tabled on how the facility could be handled in the wake of the new Tain 3-18 campus being built.
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Details of five different options were discussed with stakeholders at a meeting on the progress of the new campus on Monday night and are set to be formally revealed next week.
The plans range from basic repairs to the existing facility, to a full demolition which could make way for new housing.
Crucially, three of the options put forward would result in the permanent closure of the High Life Highland-run site, including its swimming pool — with no current plans for a replacement pool to be built at the new school.
The council's capital planning and estate strategy team confirmed in a email to stakeholders that a public consultation period on the suggestions will start next week.
When asked about the proposals, chair of the Highland Council capital resources committee, Derek Louden, said: “The public has been aware for some time that funding for a new pool wasn’t a part of the present build’s budget.
“This consultation will look at a variety of options which I’m sure the community will engage with.
“A variety of options will be presented along with the time each would take, and the public will have the option to give the council a clear steer on what they want to see happen.
“Then, just like the present build, we’ll get our heads down and work hard to find the money.”
The first option under consideration would see TRACC retained as a standalone building, with only minimal upgrades carried out.
A second proposes a full refurbishment of the existing facility at a higher cost and a period of closure while work takes place.
Both options would preserve TRACC in its current location, while the rest of the old Tain Royal Academy (TRA) buildings would be earmarked for demolition and housing development.
Options three and four look toward the eventual construction of a new leisure building on the new Tain Campus site.
Under option three, TRACC would be closed and demolished once the new school opens, with a replacement built at a later date.
Option four proposes a similar path but would keep TRACC open in the meantime with limited improvements.
However, there is currently no confirmed commitment to fund or build a replacement leisure facility as part of the new campus project — raising concerns that once TRACC is closed, it may not be replaced at all.
The fifth and most severe option proposes that TRACC be permanently closed and demolished when the new campus becomes operational, with no replacement facility planned.
Under options three, four, and five, the entire existing TRA site — including TRACC — would be cleared and redeveloped for housing.
The present TRACC facility, run by High Life Highland, has been in operation since the 1980s.
It currently operates a multi-use sports hall, fitness suite and swimming pool, as well as coordinating bookings for classes, parties and lectures using TRA rooms and facilities.
It opened its fitness suite and outdoor all-weather football pitch in 2004.
Both are still widely used by gym goers and sports teams in Tain and further afield, while the swimming pool is home to the town’s popular amateur swimming club.
Stakeholders have until Friday, May 2 to provide comment ahead of the council’s formal consultation launch.
It is understood that full consultation documents, including more detail on each proposal, will be published next week.
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