Published: Thursday, 3rd January, 2008 9:45am

West Fife gymnasts face an uncertain future

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OLYMPIC hopes of Dunfermline gymnasts could be set for a tumble when Carnegie Leisure Centre closes for it"s £17.2 million refurbishment in the summer.

Spartan Gymnastic Club, which boasts more than 100 members, including some who are in elite national squads, have said 'it could be the end' if they are not able to relocate to an alternative centre when the centre closes – and fast.

A representative of the club told Press Sport there were no gymnastics facilities planned for the redeveloped Carnegie Leisure Centre.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said, 'At the moment we are in talks about moving to Bruce Street but it is still hanging in the balance.

'We have been told by staff but no-one has come outright and said it.'

She continued, 'The new centre doesn"t include a centre for gymnastics and if we don"t get Bruce Street we will be going back to them shouting.'

The club has called Carnegie home since the early 1990s and the woman added, 'It could be the end of gymnastics in Dunfermline and West Fife.

'The Fife Network also train there so we deal with a lot of elite gymnasts.'

She said she was pleased the centre would be staying open for the summer holidays in 2008 as it meant the group could bide their time in organising a big move.

She said, 'It"s going to take some time to get up and running. Bruce Street needs a spring board floor and the pits put in place.

'If we could get it then we could get new equipment and we could make it a centre for regional excellence.'

As reported in the Press in November, plans for the refurbishment of Carnegie Leisure Centre, currently out to public consultation, could leave many West Fife sports enthusiasts facing a two-year nightmare when the centre shuts its doors for the face lift.

The Spartan gymnasts, who range from tots aged five to athletes in their 20s, are just a handful of 8000 people, including other gymnasts, who use the centre each week.

And gymnasts with hopes of international success in their field are not the only ones who are worried.

Fergie Shaw, vice president of Carnegie Swimming Club, said he was still not sure where or how their club"s swimmers would be able to maintain their current level of training.

The swimming club has more than 120 club members, some of whom train as many as seven times a week and are set on competing in the 2012 Olympics.

He said, 'The high school pools probably aren"t large enough, we would have to go to Cowdenbeath.'

But Mr Shaw said he thought that Fife Council would make sure that the impact of the centre closure was as minimal as possible on the careers of West Fife swimmers.

He said, 'We had a meeting a couple of months back but we don"t know the details yet.'

Dunfermline Water Polo Club said that they also harboured concerns.

The club"s 70 members use the pool three times a week.

They have four members in national squads and all players need a special pool to practise.

The group do have some practice time at HMS Caledonia once a week but said access was restricted and the pool closed early at weekends.

Brian Campbell, secretary of Dunfermline Water Polo Club, said, 'Everyone will be looking for pool time.

'We can"t just use any pool either, because of the set-up and it can"t have anything on the walls.

'It is a nuisance but at least we will be getting a decent pool at the end of the day.'

The new centre would double the size of the gym and include a new "health village" next to the pool with sauna, steam room and space.

The 25-yard training pool would also be extended to a 25-metre "deck level" pool with a moveable floor to help club training and improve learn-to-swim programmes.

There would be a new improved cafe and the indoor play facility and fitness centre would be revamped.

Councillor Pat Callaghan, Labour member for Rosyth, said he thought the new development and old centre could run in tandem.

He said, 'There is no need to deny access for 8000 people to the most central leisure centre in the Dunfermline area.'

But Lib Dem councillor for Dunfermline South Tony Martin said, 'There was always going to be some difficulty but you can"t make a cake without breaking eggs.

'I think Fife Council has to do everything they can to be supportive of these groups.'

Noel Grimshaw, secretary of Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council, said, 'It is going to be traumatic for all involved but in the end we are going to finish up with an enhanced facility.

'With the opening of Duloch Leisure Centre and the community high schools there are some alternatives.'

Grant Ward, senior manager, Fife Council Community Services, said that gymnasts in and around Dunfermline would be accommodated elsewhere.

He said, 'We are currently in discussion with the national governing body, Scottish Gymnastics.'