Fife council operates 14 school pools, but their age and a lack of investment over an extended period have put their future at risk.

Four have been highlighted as priorities for closure consultation due to their age and infrequent use by pupils and the wider community. They are at Waid Academy in Anstruther; Kirkcaldy’s St Andrew’s High; St Columba’s High in Dunfermline and Glenrothes High.

A survey by chartered architects Hurd Rolland Partnership highlighted that adjustments would be needed at all school swimming pools to ensure they met basic health and safety standards.

Issues to be addressed included electrical fuse boxes next to water tanks above chemical injectors; CO2 cylinders sited next to electrical fuse boxes; water tanks not reinforced; and shower rooms not fit for purpose.

The average swimming pool, if maintained properly, can be expected to operate for 30-35 years, said Hurd Rolland.

Only two of Fife’s pools are under 30 years old: those at Lochgelly High (24 years) and Hyndhead School in Buckhaven (28). The council’s oldest pool was built in 1959 at St Andrew’s High.

The pool at Inverkeithing High, however, is the most expensive to maintain, costing pound;34,200 per year in gas and electricity.

It would cost the council almost pound;1.7 million to upgrade its 14 school swimming pools to “school standard” and almost pound;2 million to upgrade them to “community standard”. School swimming pools cost the council pound;227,563 a year to run.