News / Changes at Clickimin
SOME services at the Clickimin Leisure Complex in Lerwick are set to be closed off to the public as the new Anderson High School takes on exclusive use of some of its facilities.
The new school – just a stone’s throw away from the leisure centre – will open for pupils for the first time on Friday and during term time children will use facilities at the nearby leisure centre for physical education classes and activities.
Between 8.30am and 4pm on weekdays the main hall, 60:40 outdoor pitch, outdoor changing facilities and the bowlers bar will all be used exclusively by schoolchildren.
Junior activities will be located in the squash courts. Studio and fitness classes will be unaffected, while the changing rooms for dryside activities will be open as usual.
There will be no changes to the leisure centre’s swimming pool operations.
Centre manager Robert Geddes said space in the squash courts and the bowling hall will still be available to the public.
He added that the new arrangement should be of overall benefit to the facility.
Temporary access arrangements to the leisure centre will also take effect from today (26 October) until November next year as work gets underway on a new gym and reception area.
Entry to the pool will be via the service area behind the building, while entry to the dryside facilities will be through a temporary entrance on the south side of the building, opposite the 60:40 facility.
There will be no access to any part of the centre through the existing glazed link, while all meeting rooms will be unavailable.
Meanwhile, Shetland Islands Council will make a small saving on transport for pupils to the Clickimin for its PE sessions.
In the last financial year the local authority spent £2,380 on transporting kids from the old Anderson to the Clickimin by bus.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
A more sizeable transport related saving, however, will be made from not bussing some of its Lerwick pupils during the winter months to school.
As the new Anderson is deemed to be within walking distance for most pupils, the council will terminate two Lerwick based winter bus contracts – saving nearly £33,500 a year in the process.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.