Dollan Aqua Centre in East Kilbride has received a massive £500,000 boost from sportscotland to help fund its repair and refurbishment.

The centre, which is used by almost 7000 customers every week, is one of only five 50m competition pools in Scotland. It is currently closed for specialist survey works prior to the start of the £6.437m programme set to begin early in 2009, which will give the Grade A Listed property a new lease of life.

South Lanarkshire councillor Gerry Convery, the chair of the council's Community Resources, said: "This is a fantastic award which will help safeguard the future of such an iconic facility.

"This is the latest in a number of successful partnership projects with sportscotland that has seen the improvement of facilities across a range of sporting venues throughout the area."

The sportscotland funding will be specifically targeted on: replacement of pool filtration and dosing plant; retiling of pool tank and surrounds; refurbishment of changing village; decoration; disabled access improvements; kitchen/café refurbishments.

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Louise Martin CBE, the chair of sportscotland, said: "This £500,000 investment towards the refurbishment of the Dollan Aqua Centre will help secure the long-term future of this important facility.

"The refurbished pool will provide improved swimming opportunities for the people of East Kilbride as well as securing an essential training and competition venue for our elite swimmers and squads."

While carrying out routine inspections of the centre which was built in 1968 with an extension added in 1994, council engineers found some deterioration in the condition of the concrete structure of the building. Further surveys have been commissioned and other building elements are being looked at to gain a complete picture of what repairs may be necessary.

As it is a listed building, the council has been in continuous contact with Historic Scotland to get advice on a number of aspects of the proposed repairs. Guidance has now been given to allow the council to prepare for sensitive repair and refurbishment work.

The centre, which is managed on behalf of the council by South Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd, has: 50m swimming pool with floating floor; fitness gym with cardio-vascular and resistance equipment to suit all ages and fitness levels; dance studio with integral sound system and wood sprung floor; sauna and steam rooms; pool changing area with disabled facilities, family changing booths, school class changing areas etc; dry changing rooms for gym and fitness users; and a café area.

(GK/KMcA)