Deal signed for design of multimillion-pound wellbeing centre

Council bosses have struck a deal for the controversial revamp of a Perth leisure complex.

Letham Recreation Centre is being turned into a £4 million wellbeing hub, offering a range of therapies, childcare and social services, as well as NHS clinics.

Perth and Kinross Council, which is leading the project, has appointed Perth-based firm McLaren, Murdoch and Hamilton to design the new-look complex.

The company was one of 18 firms which submitted tenders for the £126,500 project.

The local authority’s brief states that the project will “regenerate and transform the existing centre into a vibrant community wellbeing hub.

The Dundee Road design team was also behind an expansion at Blairgowrie Cottage Hospital and a refurbishment of St Serf’s Parish Church in Inverleith.

Although the wider aims of the scheme have been largely welcomed, locals have raised concerns about its impact on local groups.

During construction, the centre is likely to close for about 18 months, forcing clubs which use it regularly to move into temporary accommodation. Some say there are no suitable alternatives available.

A photocall in February to mark the start of a consultation period was hijacked by members of local groups left facing an uncertain future.

The council said that sports activities will still be retained at the new centre, although Live Active Leisure – which runs leisure and fitness activities for the local authority – has written to members saying it will no longer be offering services at Letham from August 31.