VIP guests get sneak peek at new Carnegie Leisure Centre
Matt Meade • Published 18 Nov 2011 09:00
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Councillors Joe Rosiejak (front) and Brain Goodall try out the incline chest press.
TEN West Fifers got a sneak peek of the new Carnegie Leisure Centre this week, ahead of its opening next Saturday.
They won a competition to be the first members of the public to see the transformation in a VIP tour.
The cost of the refurbishment has now been confirmed as £18.3 million, as the Press predicted last year.
But for those who made the tour, it looked like money well spent.
Crossford man Paul Birkmyre said, "I think it's a great job - the old pool has to be the highlight.
"It's fantastic the way they have retained the original features. We can't wait to use the centre."
Maureen Hutchison, from Dunfermline, said, "We can't wait to come and use it, my five-year-old, Adele, loves swimming and the new pools are absolutely brilliant.
I was using Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre while Carnegie was being refurbished so this is much nearer for us."
Upon opening, the public will have access to a new 100-station gym, the sports hall, squash courts and café.
The crèche will open to the public on Monday 28th November. But those keen to go for a swim will have to wait - the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust would only confirm the pools would be open "before Christmas".
A full programme, including swimming lessons, fitness classes and other remaining facilities, will open on 2nd January.
Last week the Press revealed that the delay in providing fitness classes at the new centre coincided with the temporary closure of Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre for maintenance, much to the frustration of regular fitness class users.
Stuart Penny, who attends classes at Cowdenbeath, contacted the Press to say, "Why even bother to open Carnegie at all until 2012?
"Why not keep Cowdenbeath open and do classes that we pay for in advance? Keep Cowdenbeath open until January then shut it so Carnegie can open, without being made to look like the town council at Trumpton are in charge."
The Carnegie Leisure Centre refurbishment was initially costed at £6m in 2006 but by 2008 that figure had increased to £13m, before increasing again to £17.2m.
The Press revealed in 2010 that costs were likely to exceed £18m and today a report to the environment, enterprise and transport committee confirmed the total cost to be £18.3m.
Fife Sports and Leisure Trust will manage Carnegie Leisure Centre on behalf of Fife Council.
Councillor Brian Goodall, chair of the council's housing and communities committee, said, "I had the opportunity to tour the facility with the winners and it was great to see and hear their really positive reactions to the transformation within the centre.
"The refurbishment has retained the old whilst delivering the new and these fantastic state-of-the-art facilities will improve access to sport and leisure for the community now and for generations to come."
VIP tour winner Vic Richardson, of Dunfermline, added, "My first impression was the facility is superb, really out of this world and is far bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside."
On Monday from 10am, the reception at the Carnegie Leisure Centre will be open for customer bookings - there are 1500 spaces available on the trust's swimming programme and more than 100 fitness classes to choose from.
The first 100 people signing up for Leisure Active - the trust's low-cost membership scheme - will receive a free goodie bag.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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jollymolly
93 posts
Nov 18, 10:18
Report commentInitially costed at £6m and the total cost to be £18.3m.
Unbelievable !!
I always thought when a contractor put in a price for a job that was final. and if the contractor didn't finish it on time there was a penalty or the retention kept back from the contractors involved..
for this to treble in price where HAS ALL this money gone
Please explain this to me Councillor Goodall
Recommend?
Yes 25
No 3
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johnnyD
1 post
Nov 18, 11:19
Report commentthe contract wouldn't have been for £6M, that would only have been the councils initial estimate which was obviously way out.
Looking at the scale of the changes made, I'm not surprised it cost way more.
Still, it should be a good facility for the town and will be a welcome change to all the empty buildings lying around.
Recommend? Yes 11
No 2
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******
Nov 18, 12:54
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
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MDTScots
1 post
Nov 18, 14:44
Report commentJeezo...we are getting a fabulous, state of the art leisure centre. Yes, its late...yes its over budget, yes its another few weeks before everything is ready....but would you moaners rather it never happened?? Would you rather that the only way anyone from Dunfermline could get to something on this scale would be to go to Edinburgh or Perth?? Its been a long time coming but its here now ok???? ... and it will be an amazing thing to have for the town and a real asset that will bring punters in from all over.
So, please just be thankful for what the town has now, and direct your bile, bitterness and sour negativity toward something else.
Recommend? Yes 16
No 11
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bicyclebob
159 posts
Nov 18, 16:49
Report commentnhj,is a dignitary,maybe she could attend the grand opening
Recommend? Yes 4
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bicyclebob
159 posts
Nov 18, 17:47
Report commentWhat a larf,look at the big coonlir wae the glasses on,wrong bit of equipment
Recommend? Yes 3
No 0
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supersonic
217 posts
Nov 19, 18:35
Report comment@bicyclebob what's your opinion on the mess the horses make of the cycle path at William st?
Recommend? Yes 3
No 2
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lydiapot1
118 posts
Nov 19, 20:26
Report commentI would much rather the council spent my tax payers money to train the local police to follow their own procedures when carrying out operations in the locality. They are totally incapable when it comes to this. Far more important than a leisure centre.
Recommend? Yes 8
No 7
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******
Nov 20, 11:09
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Nov 20, 21:13
Report commentI shall of course be attending the Grand Opening and I beleive the Palace Cafe is doing the catering! How wondeful, I am so looking forward to the delicious tea and mouthwatering scrumptious cake.
Perhaps you could be my partner bicyclebob.... you hunk!
Recommend? Yes 4
No 3
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supersonic
217 posts
Nov 21, 10:21
Report commentEasy Jan! No heavy petting or dive bombing!
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******
Nov 21, 11:08
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
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bicyclebob
159 posts
Nov 21, 11:52
Report comment -
bicyclebob
159 posts
Nov 21, 11:54
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RosythsAngel
4 posts
Nov 21, 15:26
Report commentLove it my comments been removed some one got a problem with saying how things are ? it wasnt even nasty iv seen worst things written on here.
Recommend? Yes 2
No 2
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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Nov 21, 20:01
Report commentLOL, perhaps it has something to do with your Alias dear? Not doing a very good job being an Angel if you keep getting moderated!
Recommend? Yes 1
No 1
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BobTheBuilder
111 posts
Nov 21, 23:45
Report commentIsn't the Palace Cafe shut down? I'm sure I saw either a 'for sale' or 'to let' sign on it at the weekend.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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RosythsAngel
4 posts
Nov 24, 08:48
Report commentIt was my first comment i made this account when i was 15 reason for the teenage like alais.
Recommend? Yes 1
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davie1
26 posts
Nov 24, 15:06
Report commentI just hope that the 1970's harlequin tiles on the outside are reported to the 'architechural police' along with the 'beige' paintwork - who in their right mind thinks that this is acceptable for a flagship historical building??
Recommend? Yes 10
No 1
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bicyclebob
159 posts
Nov 29, 19:51
Report commentsame as the old building in the glen,starting to put a new bit on the old existing building
Recommend? Yes 1
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markerr
1 post
Dec 8, 19:14
Report commentWho I wonder decided that the ideal time to dismantle the climbing wall was this week. As the workmen tramp in and out with the constituent parts all the dust and grit is deposited on the floor behind the courts and then taken into the courts on the feet of the players thereby scratching the new floors. Two years plus the centre has been shut but this week was chosen to perform this task. Why!!!!! Great forward planning.
Recommend? Yes 0
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arossco
1 post
Dec 8, 22:45
Report commentCan someone please explain where you are meant to park to use this facility now that carnegie drive is being altered. Nice planning Fife Council!
Recommend? Yes 2
No 0
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helen1965
4 posts
Dec 29, 07:38
Report commentI was directed to the Carnegie leisure Centre after trying Cowdenbeath which was closed and then Duloch which doesn't have a swimming pool! All I can say is what a discovery. I had a swim and didn't want to leave. It was a pleasure from start to finish. The inside of that lovely old building is ultra modern and so spacious I felt I should have been supplied with a map! Everything is so clean and modern from the reception to the changing rooms to the three pools. I have yet to check out the state of the art gym but rest assured I will. I read that it cost 18 million to refurbish the Centre, all I can say is that it was money very well spent. What an asset to Dunfermline and it's people. Well done to all involved in the project.
Recommend? Yes 0
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