Decision needed on where new leisure facilities in Denny will be

A decision remains to be taken on where new leisure facilities will be created in Denny, with two locations leading the way.

Members of Falkirk Council's executive heard that new facilities could be added on to Denny High School - and there are two options for this.

The first involves a new wing with fitness suite, male and female dry changing rooms, and a studio space.

Read more: Bid for new £35 million leisure centre backed by Falkirk councillors

The alternative would also include a wet change area directly accessible to the pool.

Head of Invest, Paul Kettrick, said that both options would mean school facilities could be accessed when not in use by the school, including the 20m
swimming pool, games hall, two gymnasiums and sports pitches.

He added that all the facilities can be compartmentalised to ensure school and public use is kept separate.

Modernisation works will also take place that would benefit the school, including improvements to existing changing rooms.

The other suggested location is in Denny town centre, on land that is owned by the council where no developer has shown an interest.

This would be a gym and studio rooms with no swimming pool, which would have the benefit of bringing people into the town centre.

Councillors agreed that officers should develop the proposals for Denny to find the "most appropriate, deliverable, and best value option".

Proposals are also being looked at for a similar facility being added to Braes High School, although the location of the school is making the design more challenging.

Officers will look more closely at four different proposals to find one that works best.

Falkirk Council has agreed to look at investing £35 million in a new sport and leisure hub in the centre of Falkirk district, with 'spokes' around the area including Denny, Braes, Stenhousemuir and a bigger facility in Grangemouth.

In March, councillors agreed to invest a total of £10.5m to build community accessible sports facilities at Bo’ness Academy, and the Braes &
Denny High Schools.

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