The Brunton, Loch Centre and Preston Lodge 'will not be lost'

Mr Hampshire admitted the council faced a huge task in restoring the buildings, which have all experienced some degree of closure this year due to structural issues.

Repairs to all three will likely cost many millions of pounds.

The Labour councillor said: “The council are working hard to ensure all three facilities remain in East Lothian. We will have to find resources to repair or replace them in some capacity.

“Preston Lodge is our priority and work has already begun there. The Brunton is a vital part of the Musselburgh community, as is the Loch Centre to Tranent. These facilities will not be lost.

“It would be easy for us to say we don’t have the money to do so. We are not that kind of council, we will find the money.”

Concerns have been raised by community groups about the future of these buildings.

East Lothian Council leader Councillor Norman Hampshire (Image: Newsquest)

East Lothian Council said in January that it faced a £45 million funding gap in the next five years, prompting many to worry that these repairs may not be affordable.

The pool and health suite (jacuzzi and spa) at the Loch Centre, which first opened in 1973, have been closed since January, initially to repair the pool’s filter; however, upon inspection, “structural issues with the sprayed insulation” within the roof of the building were found.

Mr Hampshire said of the closure: “It is important we get repairs done so that the building lasts another 20 years or more before needing more work.

“It is a complex process and will be extremely costly. But we are working with enjoyleisure and others to ensure it is fixed.”

The rest of the centre has already reopened to the public.

A cost estimate for repairs to the centre has been completed and will be made public in a report to councillors in October.

READ MORE: Musselburgh: The Brunton to remain closed for ‘considerable' time

The Brunton, opened in 1971, has been closed since March after a roof survey found “substantial areas” of the theatre’s roof, and parts of the walls, were constructed from Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete that was often used in building construction from the 1950s through to the mid-1980s.

It is recognised that RAAC panels have material and construction deficiencies, making them less robust than traditional concrete.

Shows scheduled for the theatre have found new venues.

Mr Hampshire said work was being done to evaluate the costs of repairs and that all options were being considered, including knocking the building down and rebuilding it.

He said: “The Brunton is a more complicated issue. We won’t know what the best solution is until we have a report on full costings. It may be a case of having to knock it down and rebuild. But we have not considered that yet and have made no decisions. Regardless of the decision, it is on us as a council to ensure the facility is not lost. It may take more time than we hoped but we will build a facility to replace it if need be.”

READ MORE: Preston Lodge High School: big change for new pupils

Having a fully functioning Preston Lodge High School was a council’s priority, said Mr Hampshire, following the school’s partial closure earlier this year, also due to the discovery of RAAC in the building.

Kenny MacAskill, MP for East Lothian, said ensuring public safety was “paramount”.

Mr MacAskill said: “This [problem with RAAC in buildings] is an issue across the country. I’ve been raising it with ministers. Schools and public facilities across the country are threatened and the cost is going to be significant. Help from somewhere is needed given the scale.”

Colin Beattie, MSP for Musselburgh, added: “Safety is the priority. It is the prime concern that school buildings are repaired at the soonest opportunity.

“I remain concerned about how long we will see disruption to operations at The Brunton within my constituency and other buildings in East Lothian. All three of the impacted structures are important to our communities and must be repaired and brought back into use.”

Colin Beattie MSP (Image: Contributed)

Concerns have been raised about the future of the closed Loch Centre facilities by members of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council.

Community council chair Mike Falconer raised the topic at the August meeting of the group.

Robert McNeill, community council member, said: “We have to ensure the Loch Centre pool remains open at all costs. We cannot afford to lose it.”

Mr Falconer told the Courier after the meeting: “The Loch Centre is the jewel in our crown. We need the pool in Tranent. We’ve had reassurances from the start it would not close. But it is the length of time to make a decision that makes us worry it will be bad news.”

Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, said he would gladly meet with the community council and East Lothian Council to discuss concerns.

Lee-Anne Menzies, ward councillor for Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry, is also a board member for enjoyleisure, which runs the Loch Centre.

Ms Menzies said the board had heard nothing to suggest the pool would close for good.

She said: “I have been present at discussions about the issue and every discussion has been about trying to get a cost for repair. I couldn’t stand for Tranent to lose the pool. It is too vital to our community.”

READ MORE: Loch Centre: Council 'can't be specific' about when pool will reopen

Fellow ward councillor Kenny McLeod added: “If it came down to it, I would fight my ward’s corner for why the Loch Centre should be a priority.

“I believe the Loch Centre is vital for Tranent and must remain open.”

Labour councillor Colin McGinn said: “I can confidently say there have been no discussions about the Loch Centre closing.

“I know it is going to take a substantial amount of money to get it back into play.”

East Lothian Council headquarters, John Muir House (Image: Newsquest)

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “A sum of £3 million has been identified within the council’s capital to cover current immediate costs to support the continuity of education at Preston Lodge High School.

“Details of required works and associated costs for longer-term solutions are still very much under discussion and too early to confirm at this stage.

“Whilst a cost estimate for repair to the Loch Centre pool has been completed, this will be part of a fuller financial report to be submitted to the council in October.

“It’s unfortunately too early to advise on any works timetable at this stage.

“Discussions continue regarding required repairs at Preston Lodge High School and no final option has at yet been concluded.

“A report will be completed to provide a range of options for consideration in relation to The Brunton. At present our resources are focused on looking at options for Preston Lodge. Each of these projects have their own unique challenges. Options, including financial costs, will, when complete, be submitted in a report for councillor discussion and approval.”