- ABERDEEN and Edinburgh will be the first recipients of 2014 Commonwealth Games Legacy funding, it was announced today.
The National and Regional Sports Facilities Strategy (NRSFS) announced that £5 million will be contribute to Aberdeen City Council for its proposal for a 50 metre swimming pool, subject to a detailed, affordable, business plan coming forward.
Sportscotland will continue to work with Aberdeen City Council and partners to help develop a feasible project.
In addition, City of Edinburgh Council will receive an extra £1 million to add to the £4 million already allocated under NRSFS for the refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool.
This will be the diving venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games
Scotland's Sport Minister Stewart Maxwell said: "This investment underlines this Government's commitment to Scottish sport and our aim to make the most of our 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy.
"Scottish swimmers have excelled in recent years - not least at the recent World Short Course Championships - and they deserve the best training facilities to allow them to reach their full potential.
"We have always said that, subject to a detailed business plan coming forward, we are fully behind an international-standard pool to benefit athletes across the North-east.
"This substantial offer of funding demonstrates that we mean what we say.
"Furthermore, the refurbishment of Edinburgh's Royal Commonwealth Pool will create a world class diving facility that will be another fantastic venue for the 2014 Games.
"This is a sign that the rewards of winning the Commonwealth Games will benefit the whole of Scotland."
Aberdeen City Council Leaders Kate Dean and Kevin Stewart said in a statement: "We are absolutely delighted with the news of the Scottish Government's commitment to the 50m pool.
"The City Council has already committed £10 million of capital funding towards this project and £100,000 of developmental funding committed by us and the University of Aberdeen.
"It is absolutely fantastic that we will have a facility like this on our own doorstep to nurture home-grown talent who will follow in the footsteps of world-class athletes like David Carry, Robbie Renwick and Hannah Miley."
Edinburgh Council welcomed the funding, but said more money was still needed.
Leader Jenny Dawe said: "The overall £5 million Government investment will help us to get going with the £37 million project but we must be mindful that we may need to identify further funds in the future as the project develops.
