Perth and Kinross Council met on Wednesday 4th September and agreed the following in relation to the future provision of Leisure facilities within Perth City centre.

• PH20

The new venue will be built at Thimblerow and will include:

• 25m Swimming Pool (8 lane)
• Teaching Pool
• Toddler splash pad
• Indoor play area / family play activity
• Sports Hall
• Fitness Gym and Studios

Councillors have also asked for options and costs to be prepared to include Leisure Water.

• Dewars Centre

The council agreed to explore the potential for a user led operating model for Dewars, involving local groups and sporting governing bodies. This revised operating model would be introduced when PH20 opens.

• Bell’s Sports Centre

The council agreed that there would be community engagement on the future use of Bell’s Sports Centre, however, one of the potential options and 'concept' for consideration would be to convert the dome ( Main Arena ) in to an unheated event space/ multi-use sports pitch venue. The council will progress a public consultation programme and further updates on this will be provided once they have been developed.

Decisions on these issues were vital to allow Live Active Leisure to plan for the delivery of services more effectively over the next few years. We now have that decision, and a clear direction of travel. This decision doesn't eliminate the extremely challenging financial environment that we continue to operate within, but it provides a clearer route map and the welcome and positive news that Perth City will benefit from a modern multi sport facility within the next five years.  

We now move forward and focus on supporting the council to deliver what has been agreed, and will provide further updates in due course.