Community use of school facilities across Dunfermline has surged by 85% since before the pandemic. More people than ever are taking part in sport and leisure activities.

New figures show that attendances have risen from 192,392 in 2019/20 to 356,029 in 2025/26, highlighting strong demand for community use facilities.

Much of this growth has been driven by the Dunfermline Learning Campus (DLC), which has become a key hub for multi-sport activity in the area. While some older sites have seen reduced usage, this reflects changing patterns of use rather than a drop in participation.

The figures confirm that community use has not only recovered from the impact of COVID-19 but is now significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.

This growth reflects changing expectations, with people increasingly choosing modern, high-quality facilities that offer a wider range of activities in one place.

The Dunfermline figures provide strong local evidence to support the council’s Future of Leisure programme, which focuses on modern, sustainable facilities and improved community outcomes.

Cllr Linda Erskine, Executive Spokesperson for Communities and Leisure, said: “It’s really encouraging to see so many people across Dunfermline making use of our facilities and getting involved in sport and physical activity.

“These figures show that demand is strong and growing, and that the investment we are making in modern, high-quality facilities like Dunfermline Learning Campus is making a real difference to how people choose to stay active.

“We know how important access to sport and leisure is for health and wellbeing, and this demonstrates that we can continue to grow participation while using our buildings more efficiently. That’s a key part of our Future of Leisure approach, ensuring we deliver the best possible opportunities for our communities now and in the future.”

Further work will continue to monitor attendance trends and ensure that facilities meet the needs of local communities. The success seen in Dunfermline will also help inform future planning and engagement as part of the wider Future of Leisure programme.