Scottish swimming has welcomed a announcement that sportscotland is to pump £5.5 million of investment into sports facilities in Tayside and Fife as part of the Government's drive to increase participation and improve performance in the build-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The new faciltities will include Scotland's latest 50m pool in Dundee, and a short course championship eight lane 25m pool in Glenrothes.

Scottish Swimming published a facilities strategy earlier this year and identified the need for more swimming pools in the region suitable for use as training centres for performance swimmers.  The new pools will give local athletes the chance to develop their talent locally.

Ashley Howard, Chief Executive of Scottish Swimming confirmed how important the new pools are to their strategic vision: "Supporting strategically planned swimming pool facilities is critical to achieving Scottish Swimming's vision, which is that 'everyone can swim'.  This includes quality facility development as well as expert programming to support all users in a supportive engaging environment. 

"We look forward to working with all partners in Tayside and Fife to support the development of each facility as well as their sustainable programming so that these pools can play their role in driving forward our nation's participation and performance.