It is hoped that extended weekend opening hours at two Moray Council sport and leisure facilities will boost take up of a new membership scheme.
It is hoped that the new hours at Lossiemouth and Keith Sport and Leisure Centres will encourage more people to use the facilities, with Keith now open from 8.45am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday while Lossiemouth is open from 9am to 4pm on Saturday and start an hour later on Sunday.
A council spokesman said that a good response from the public could see the new opening hours become permanent after an initial six month trial period.
The extended opening hours include the swimming pools, fitness rooms and sports halls and, in the case of Keith, the synthetic turf pitch and at both venues additional sessions have been introduced.
At the end of last year Moray Council launched their ‘Fit Life?’ membership scheme, allowing unlimited use of sports, leisure and community facilities for £27 for families and £19 for individuals.
A spokesman said: “The extended weekend opening is for six months only at this stage but it could become permanent if people take advantage of the longer hours.
“If the trial at Keith and Lossiemouth is successful and leads to an increase in user numbers, the intention would be to introduce extended Saturday and Sunday opening at the council’s sport and leisure facilities elsewhere in Moray.”
A report on the success or otherwise of the new scheme will be presented to councillors towards the end of this year.