FIRE-HIT Peebles Swimming Pool will remain closed for at least several more weeks, it has emerged.

The Port Brae pool closed on Sunday, June 19, following a bin blaze which spread and ripped through the roof.

Pool operator Live Borders is working with Scottish Borders Council, the owners of the building, on work to assess the extent of the damage.

In a new statement a spokesperson for Live Borders said the pool “is expected to reopen but it is not yet possible to predict when that will be”, adding: “It will remain closed for a number of weeks.”

The closure has had a major impact on leisure provision in the town, in particular for the 580 children who are on the Peebles Learn to Swim programme at the facility.

A two-week crash course was moved to Barony Castle Hotel in Peebles, enabling 30 children to continue to learn to swim.

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Discussions are also ongoing with the town’s Cardrona Hotel to utilise the pool there, but that will not be until after the school holidays as the hotel is extremely busy throughout the summer.

Additional pool time has also been identified at both Galashiels and Selkirk pools to accommodate swimming lessons and club usage.

The Live Borders spokesperson added: “We appreciate your patience and co-operation whilst these assessments continue, and we will update you as soon as possible with a clearer indication of time-lines once these are completed.

“All membership direct debits have been adjusted or frozen to reflect the closure, therefore you don’t need to do anything. Please don’t cancel your direct debit.”

Meanwhile, Julie Pirone, Scottish Conservative member for Tweeddale East, praised the efforts of Scottish Borders Council and Live Borders to find solutions.

She said: “It is great that the pool is expected to reopen but there is still work to do and this will take some time.

“It is really important that local swimming training groups, young people and families can continue to be accommodated, especially as we move towards the autumn and travel to other venues becomes harder in darker weather and as money is tighter. I’ll be working to ensure that this happens and anyone experiencing difficulties should get in touch with me.”