Thurso Leisure Centre opens after £3m refurbishment

High Life Highland News Release

The Highland Council and High Life Highland are pleased to announce that refurbishment works at Thurso Leisure Centre are now completed, with the official re-opening of the centre taking place today (17th February 2017). 

The £3M refurbishment has seen the relocation and upgrade of the existing gym provision, a new reception and new changing village as well as the additional of a new multi-purpose studio.  On the wet-side, the swimming pool has been fully retiled and a new sauna and steam room installed. 

The newly refurbished Thurso Leisure Centre was officially opened to the public by Caithness Civic Leader Highland Councillor Gillian Coghill, assisted by Matthew Cook the youngest member of Thurso Amatuer Swimming Club.

The official opening was attended by guests who had a current or previous connection with the swimming pool which had oringally been opened by The Right Honourable, Lord Maclennan of Rogart almost 40 years earlier in 1967.

Speaking at the well-attended event, Highland Councillor Gillian Coghill explained that the local elected members had been keen to involve the next generation of swimmers in the re-opening and this was why they had decided to invite the youngest member of the swimming club to be part of the evening’s proceedings.

At the age of six, Matthew Cook was the member of swimming club selected to help out with the opening. A pupil at Halkirk Primary School, Matthew was clearly delighted to assist Councillor Coghill in cutting the official opening ceremony ribbon and declaring Thurso Leisure Centre open.

The project was funded from the Council’s Care and Learning Service and Development and Infrastructure Service Capital programmes with a £300,000 contribution from sportscotland. The project was managed and delivered by the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Property Section alongside Les Hutt Architects,  Pick Everard and Fairhurst. The main contractor was O'Brien Construction Ltd, Thurso.

Thurso Leisure Centre will be managed and operated by High Life Highland, the Council’s arms-length charity.

Cutting the ribbon at Thurso Leisure Centre opening