TWO Drumchapel councillors are joining forces in a bid for a new leisure centre for the area.

Councillor Paul Carey and Baillie Malcolm Balfour say the area’s current swimming pool - which has stood on Drumry Road East for more than 50 years – has become a money pit, with around £500,000 being spent on a new roof and dwindling usage figures.

The duo held a meeting with Glasgow Life last week and have began a campaign to erect a new pool within the area.

It is not yet known where the new facility would be, as both councillors explained a full public consultation would determine its new location.

However, the soon-to-be demolished care home close to the Donald Dewar site is on the card.

The SNP’s Baillie Balfour said: “If it was to be put in the Donald Dewar there’s a better car park and you can move the complex around – who knows you could even get a new pitch out of it?

“We’re looking for a modern, state-of-the-art facility and everything that entails.

“We’ve already met with Glasgow Life and so, hopefully, everybody is singing off the same hymn sheet and we can have this done as soon as possible and stop wasting taxpayers money.”

The exact details of the plan are still to be drawn out, however, Cllr Carey claims the cheapest option would be to incorporate a swimming pool extension onto the Donald Dewar Centre, closing the Drumry Road East site for good.

The Labour politician added: “The old pool costs thousands to maintain every year, it’s just too old.

“I don’t really think the old folks home should be going out of Drumchapel but it is closing - this would be a way to make the best of it.”

A spokesman for Glasgow Life said: “There are currently no plans to replace Glasgow Club Drumchapel with a new facility.”

However, the councillors maintained they will be continuing their campaign.