Executive should back Olympic pool - Bruce

9.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 16th Jul 2007

The Executive says a new pool for the North East will cost too much

Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon, Malcolm Bruce, today called on the Scottish Executive to change its stance and back the current proposals to build a 50m swimming pool in Aberdeen.

Replying to Mr Bruce's letter urging Executive support for sporting projects in the North East, the Sports Minister, Stuart Maxwell MSP, stated that "the proposal that has been submitted is simply not affordable."

This stands in contrast to the Executive's recent decisions to provide substantial funding for the upgrading of 50-metre pools in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as an entirely new 50-metre pool for Glasgow's Commonwealth Games bid.

Commenting, the MP for Gordon said:

"I am astonished that the Minister considers the proposal "unaffordable". The Executive seems happy to fund such facilities when they are located in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

"The North East is proud of our gold medal winners and record holders such as Hannah Miley and David Carry and other rising young swimmers.

"If their potential to win Olympic medals at Beijing next year and London in 2012 is to be realised we should be building a pool now.

"Aberdeen City Council has made its commitment with cash and Aberdeen University is supportive. It is disappointing to find the new Scottish executive demonstrating the same central belt bias we were beginning to overcome before the elections."

"I have passed this correspondence to Aberdeen City Council and will discuss with them how the project can best move forward."