Work on new rec to start

Work on the new Blairgowrie Recreation Centre will start at the end of next month.

The new £36 million project will replace the current building, which is 41-years-old, and provide state-of-the-art facilities for residents in east Perthshire.

PKC did not give an exact date for May, but it is expected to open in December 2024, with all exterior works completed the following year.

The project will be delivered in two phases, with the first phase comprising the construction of the new centre and the allweather pitch.

The second phase would include the demolition of the existing building and“making good the site”, including the parking areas and landscaping.

Once constructed, the centre will have 57 parking spaces and six disabled spaces.

There will be charging facilities for electric vehicles as well as the infrastructure for further chargers to be installed subject to demand.

Perth and Kinross Council’s property sub-committee will be given a full update on the project when it meets next on May 1.

They will also receive updates on other projects in the Learning Estate, including the refurbishment of both Perth Academy and Perth Grammar School and construction of the new £80.2m Perth High School.

Work began on the high school site in February this year and the building will be completed in August 2025.

Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Grant Laing said:“these are all major projects that will make a real difference to residents across Perth and Kinross.

“In March we agreed additional funding for the new Blairgowrie Recreation Centre and I’m pleased work will start on this long-awaited project very soon.

“It will be a tremendous boost to the Blairgowrie area, with a swimming pool, fitness room and more that will meet the needs of the community and encourage more people to take part in healthy activities.”

Cllr Laing added:“all of these projects demonstrate our commitment to giving children and young people in Perth and Kinross the best possible start in life by providing them with the best facilities possible.”

Councillors voted to progress plans for the Blairgowrie facility at the council’s latest budget meeting.

The approval came despite council officers previously recommending that the flagship project was put on hold due to wider budget constraints.

The projected final bill for the project is now estimated to be £36m – an increase of £9.3m on previous figures and around double the £17.7m first set aside when it was initially approved in 2017.