A new state-of-the-art sports and leisure facility for Glenrothes is moving closer with the project now out to tender.

Now this notice has been placed, it means companies can now formally bid for the contract to build the new leisure centre and plans can move ahead.

Important access issues relating to the site in Kirkcaldy are still being concluded and once finalised, that project will also be put out to tender.

Initially, both projects had been tendered in one contract, but this time, they have been separated.

Leader of Fife Council, Councillor Peter Grant, said: “The plans for Glenrothes will now be able to progress whilst the access issues in Kirkcaldy are finalised. We initially tendered the Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy projects together because this offered the best deal financially for the council at that time.

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“Unfortunately, finalising the access issues in Kirkcaldy took much longer than expected and the previous tender exercise for the projects expired.

“When that happened, advice was sought from the council’s legal team on this new approach so as we could get the Glenrothes project moving again. In the current economic climate, we’re confident that this approach will generate a significant level of interest and a number of extremely competitive quotes. We still expect to deliver both projects within the agreed budget.

“We’ll be able to confirm start and finish dates for Glenrothes when the tender has been awarded, but currently we expect the project to start on site in spring 2011. We are determined to see both projects completed without further delays.”

Councillor Brian Goodall, chair of the council’s Housing and Communities committee, added: “It’s really great news that the plans for Glenrothes have taken another important step forward and we hope everyone will recognise that positive progress is being made.

“We know everyone is keen to see the new facility open as soon as possible as once the new Glenrothes leisure centre is completed, it will provide young and old in the local community with a fantastic facility both now and the future.”

(GK)