SENIOR Labour local councillors have welcomed a £1.6m investment in Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre.

The decision, taken at the Council's Executive committee last week, will seek to redevelop the leisure centre adding more activities for local families and extending the popular fitness studio.

Councillor Gary Guichan, who made the case for the investment said: "The is great news for our town and the thousands of people who use this facility every year.

"The leisure centre has served this community well for 30 years, but it is in need of redevelopment and with the support of the local community and user groups we can make some real improvements to the facilities.

"Now we have this investment committed we need start the consultation with the community and our partners In Fife Sports and Leisure Trust to make sure this investment is put to best use."

Councillor Alex Campbell is standing with Councillor Guichan in next month’s local government elections, explained: "I think we need to use this investment as a means to attract external funding in the Centre and we should be ambitious about what can be achieved.

"I’m interested in the suggestion of adding an indoor 3G training pitch and creating an large soft play facility within the Centre, but all of these suggestions need to be discussed more widely within the community".

Mr Guichan concluded: "Local SNP councillors voted against this investment during the budget setting process but I hope they can see the merits of this exciting investment and support the community in developing the idea and making the development of our Leisure Centre a success."

The article shows artist impressions of what the changes could look like.