Site chosen for town's new pool

Construction of the new pool is expected to start in January 2010

Kirkcaldy's new £11.7m swimming pool should be built in the town's Tolbooth Street, councillors in Fife have decided.

The Kirkcaldy area committee chose the site from a shortlist of four.

The decision, by six votes to five, will now go forward to Fife Council's housing and communities committee on 7 October for final approval.

Construction of the new pool is expected to start in January 2010, with completion in summer 2011.

Alice Soper, chairwoman of the Kirkcaldy area committee, said: "This is a good news, landmark day for Kirkcaldy.

"Fife Council is going to deliver a brand new, state-of-the-art swimming facility which will serve the town for many years to come.

"It was not an easy decision to make, there were positives and negatives for all the shortlisted sites, but I'm convinced we've made the right decision.

"The new pool will serve the whole community, from would-be Olympians and Paralympians to babies and adults of all ages, including our senior citizens."

The other short-listed sites were at Invertiel, Dunnikier Park and the former Nairn Works in Victoria Road.