Thursday May 21st 2026
Tweedbank Indoor Bowling Club
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A Borders bowling club is to close as proposals for a £5.2 million investment into sports and leisure facilities was endorsed today.
In November last year, councillors agreed in principle to the allocation of capital funds to support Live Borders to improve key facilities with the aim of driving up usage, associated income and reducing property costs.
Since then, detailed feasibility work has been carried out looking at Teviotdale Leisure Centre in Hawick, Gytes Leisure Centre in Peebles and Tweedbank Sports Complex and Bowling Hall.
When members of Scottish Borders Council met on Thursday, May 21, they agreed redevelopment of Teviotdale Leisure Centre, including new health and fitness facilities, an extended soft play and new dry changing rooms.
It was also agreed for the relocation of Tweedbank Bowling Club to Teviotdale Leisure Centre in Hawick and for the development of the bowling hall into a family-oriented centre, incorporating a gym and soft play area, to help rejuvenate the wider site, with plans already underway to resurface the track and improve field athletics provision.
The relocation of the bowling club to Hawick was agreed despite concerns over its loss and transport issues.
Councillor Jenny Linehan, Conservative for Leaderdale & Melrose, said: “As a local councillor it obviously pains me to see local constituents feeling that they are being sidelined, but in the circumstances I too need to support the paper.
“To make Live Borders succeed we all require to make sacrifices and I very much hope this improves the long term use of the Tweedbank facilities.
“For me the importance of transport links to the proposed Hawick facility are of vital importance and I can confirm that I have been in contact with my transport colleagues in this regard.”
Fellow ward member, Independent councillor David Parker, said: “The one thing that has dominated this council over the last four years is Live Borders and its sustainability.
“The reality is to make Live Borders a more sustainable organisation and to change the sports offering we have in the Borders we’re going to have to make difficult decisions and we’re going to have to change the facilities mix.
“The easiest thing for me to do as the longest serving member in this chamber today, and someone who has represented Tweedbank for 31 years, would be to stand here and say ‘at all costs we must save Tweedbank Bowling Club’.
“But that would be the wrong thing for me to do. I completely recognise the loss of the bowling facility for those that use it.
“I believe that the alternative and new provision at Tweedbank will be of a significant benefit to the wider Borders community, to families and young people.”
Councillor Euan Jardine, leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “The proposed approach would see the maximum return on the capital investment available at this time, delivering vital facility improvements and allowing for new activities and increased usage and income at both Teviotdale and Tweedbank.
“The extensive Teviotdale works can be carried out with minimal disruption, but the redevelopment of the Tweedbank bowling hall for year-round health and fitness and gymnastic use has significant implications on bowling which needs careful consideration.
“The feasibility work and comprehensive business cases developed have identified that significant increased income can be achieved through the proposed works, although by a later date than originally estimated. This would result in a budget gap for Live Borders, but we have already seen excellent progress over the past six months, including the delivery of significant in year, permanent and recurring savings. The Council will continue to work alongside Live Borders colleagues to identify how any gap can be bridged as required.
“A targeted approach to capital investment like this is essential to have fit-for-purpose sport, leisure and cultural facilities, which in turn can allow Live Borders to modernise the activities and services available and drive up income, which supports all Live Borders services across the whole of the Scottish Borders.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
