Aberdeen City Council will receive £5m through the National and Regional Sports Facilities Strategy (NRSFS) towards its long lobbied for 50m swimming pool.  Campaigners have argued that a 50m pool, in which most swimming competitions take place, is essential for the city’s youngsters to reach their swimming potential and go on to compete professionally.  This funding will be conditional on Aberdeen City Council delivering a detailed, affordable business plan for the pool.  Sportscotland have committed to work with the council and partners to help develop a feasible project.  

City of Edinburgh Council will receive an extra £1m for the refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool, on top of the £4m already allocated to it under the NRSFS.  The Royal Commonwealth Pool will serve as the diving venue for the Games in 2014. 

Announcing the funding for the two cities, Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell said:

“This investment underlines this Government’s commitment to Scottish sport and our aim to make the most of our 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy.

“Scottish swimmers have excelled in recent years – not least at the recent world short course championships – and they deserve the best training facilities to allow them to reach their full potential.

“We have always said that, subject to a detailed business plan coming forward, we are fully behind an international-standard pool to benefit athletes across the north-east. This substantial  offer of funding demonstrates that we mean what we say.

“Furthermore, the refurbishment of Edinburgh’s Royal Commonwealth Pool will create a world class diving facility that will be another fantastic venue for the 2014 Games.

"This is a sign that the rewards of winning the Commonwealth Games will benefit the whole of Scotland.”