Tories attacked over delays to £15.2m centre

BLAIRGOWRIE: Authority accused of letting people down over recreational hub

Perth and Kinross Council has been accused of “squandering” the goodwill of the people over delays to a £15.2 million recreational centre in Blairgowrie.

John Swinney MSP launched a scathing attack on the Conservative-led administration after it was revealed the long-awaited facility is unlikely to open until at least late 2022.

Mr Swinney, SNP MSP for Perthshire North, said: “This project has been mismanaged since the Tories came to power in 2017.

“Indeed, the people of Blairgowrie have been let down not just by the Tories’ obsession with spending cuts, but by their inability to properly deliver this important infrastructure project.”

The massive sports hub project for east Perthshire was first budgeted at £17.7m in 2016, with an opening date mooted for 2020.

Conservative council leader Murray Lyle hit back at the claims, saying the former SNP administration had put forward the budget without conducting a proper consultation.

He said: “This administration consulted with the people of Blairgowrie and put together a properly funded recreational centre.”

A row has erupted over a long-awaited £15.2 million recreational centre in Blairgowrie after officials said the project could be delayed until late 2022.

Depute First Minister John Swinney hit out at Conservative-led Perth and Kinross Council, claiming they had “mismanaged” the project since they took office in 2017 and “squandered” the goodwill of the people.

Nearly £18m was budgeted for the east Perthshire sports hub in June 2016 under the SNP administration, to be completed in 2020.

In 2018 £3m was removed from the project’s budget before £400,000 was added back on in February following a consultation with the people of Blairgowrie.

Work has yet to begin on the new facility, and at a property sub-committee on Monday, council officers said the opening is likely to be delayed until at least late 2022.

SNP councillors raised fears that the setback would cost the project’s budget an extra £1.5m and the people of Blairgowrie would lose faith in the development.

Councillor Dave Doogan said: “My concern is that the people of east Perthshire will begin to think that this will never happen.”

After the meeting Mr Swinney said: “This project has been mismanaged since the Tories came to power in 2017.

“Indeed, the people of Blairgowrie have been let down not just by the Tories’ obsession with spending cuts, but by their inability to properly deliver this important infrastructure project.”

Council leader Murray Lyle hit back at Mr Swinney’s claims, saying the former SNP administration put a budget in place without holding a proper consultation with the community.

Mr Lyle said: “This administration consulted with the town’s people of Blairgowrie and put together a properly-funded recreational centre.

“Out of the consultation we are actually delivering what the people of Blairgowrie want, including a football pitch.”

The council leader added his administration is now working with partner organisations, including the Scottish Football Association, to deliver the recreational centre.

My concern is that the people of east Perthshire will begin to think that this will never happen.

COUNCILLOR DAVE DOOGAN