Fire-hit leisure centre faces extended closure

A leisure centre in Kyle of Lochalsh is likely to remain closed for at least another month following a fire at the beginning of the year.

Lochalsh Leisure Centre (LLC) has been closed since the blaze within an electrical box on 10 January.

Bosses at the centre, which has a gym and hosts swimming lessons for children, are awaiting the go-ahead from insurers to conduct repair works, which are estimated to cost £110,000.

The charity estimates it will take at least a month for the relevant work to be carried out, once approval is granted.

Concerns have also been raised about the lifespan of the building, which the pool's board believes has less than a decade before it will need to be replaced.

Kelly Bow, the executive director of Lochalsh Leisure Centre (LLC), said the hope was to get the facility reopened as soon as possible, before looking at replacing it down the line with a facility that was "more fit for purpose".

LLC is a community-owned site that welcomes High Life Highland (HLH) customers via an arrangement with the charity.

HLH delivers leisure services and community learning on behalf of Highland Council.