LEISURE Trust operators in the Borders are being blamed for going against the Commonwealth Games tide by cutting opening hours.

It was hoped that the sporting spectacle in Glasgow would leave behind a lasting legacy throughout Scotland.

But locally Borders Sport and Leisure, who look after 13 different sporting venues in the region, have announced further reductions to opening hours.

Angry members of leisure centres and swimming pools have now hit out.

Galashiels swimmer Angie Purves told us: “It’s a public pool but the public haven’t had a say - it’s just been decided for us.

“It’s all a bit short-sighted as people who have memberships will cancel if they can’t swim before or after work.” And one dad in Selkirk said: “I went with my young daughter on Saturday morning only to be told it was closing - that was at 10 o’clock in the morning.

“They should be encouraging children to swim not turning them away.” Selkirk Leisure Centre’s hours were cut last month and it is now open for only four hours throughout the entire weekend.

Further cuts to opening hours will kick in at Galashiels Swimming Pool from next week.

Peter Smillie is a member at the Livingstone Place pool. He told the Border Telegraph: “There is no notice up at the pool informing BSLT members and members of the public of these changes, surely as a BSLT member, paying a regular monthly subscription, any major changes to the opening hours should have been notified by letter or email.

“I find all these changes to save money rather disconcerting when the Scottish and UK governments promote healthy living to save money at NHS level and also on the back of the Scottish success at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games - what message is this sending to the members, general public and youngsters who aspire to be great athletes?” Bosses at Borders Sport and Leisure make timetable alterations every three or four months to mirror demand.

The Border Telegraph also understands that the Melrose Road-based leisure operator failed to meet income expectations for the past financial year.

And they have cut back on staffing costs in a bid to balance the books.

A spokeswoman explained: “A lot of analysis goes into timetable reviews to try and accommodate the needs of all our users - including changes in school swimming times. “Leisure Centre facilities are also extremely expensive to operate so we do look to make cost savings when we can whilst trying to ensure that any changes we make have the minimal impact on our customers.

“BSLT is charitable trust with reduced funding available so we need to try and use the funds we have to best effect for everyone in the region.” Councillor Vicky Davidson, who is the local authority’s spokeswoman for sport, doesn’t believe Borderers are being short-changed.

She said: “Overall more funding has been put into upgrading facilities and the Commonwealth Games Legacy funding, in conjunction with SBC and BSLT, helped provide the improvements at Tweedbank. “SBC is also progressing well with making sure every High School catchment area has access to a synthetic pitch and there have been upgrades to many tennis courts around the Borders. “The Commonwealth Passport scheme introduced hundreds of children to try new sports and many of them have linked up with clubs as a result. “There has also been a very successful Academy of Sport running this week for talented youngsters from across the Borders managed by BSLT - not all bad news.”