Shut-down gym could be converted to annex for primary school

PERTH and Kinross Council will explore converting Perth’s Rodney Centre into an annex for Kinnoull Primary School.

Councillors agreed to Live Active Leisure (LAL) withdrawing services from Rodney Centre and to explore alternative options for its future.

Gym equipment from the Dundee Road venue is being moved to the coaching hall at Bell’s Sports Centre to transform it into a 100-station gym as part of a £750,000 revamp.

LAL’s chief executive Paul Cromwell told councillors: “We still have the main arena, which is available for events. It’s available for our local community during the week.”

The report said the Rodney Centre is a council property occupied by LAL and that the council’s most recent condition survey in 2019 identified the building as “satisfactory”, although councillors were advised it would require £275,000 spent on it over the next five years.

Supporting the report, council leader Grant

Laing said: “This is a difficult decision for us all and I respect the views expressed on all sides of the chamber. I note officers are actively investigating alternative uses for Rodney.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Barrett tabled an amendment for the council to consider using the building as an infant school and nursery annex for Kinnoull Primary School across the road.

He said: “Covid has forced the demise of many gyms and the climate emergency drives the reduction of our building and carbon footprints, making action imperative.”

Conservative councillor Hugh Anderson said: “I think possibly Councillor Barrett’s suggestion of it being used by or linked to the school would be an excellent idea of trying to beautify and regenerate the area.”

Councillor Laing and fellow SNP councillor Sheila McCole were happy to support the idea.

New uses are being explored for the Rodney Centre.