The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Council slated over ‘ridiculous’ decision
Withdrawal of vital funding for new sports complex in Perth labelled an ‘absolute betrayal’
A controversial decision by Perth and Kinross Council to withdraw vital funding for a much-needed sports complex has been branded “short-sighted” and “ridiculous.”
The board of Live Active Leisure (LAL), the arms-length body behind the £25 million PH20 project for Perth, has slammed the local authority’s move to claw back funding to the tune of £4.725 million, resulting in the leisure organisation stating it needs “detailed reassurance” from council chiefs to ascertain if the plan can move forward.
However, Councillor Dave Doogan, leader of the SNP opposition group on Perth and Kinross Council, believes the chance of the ambitious PH20 project, which aimed to build new swimming pools and an upgraded ice rink on the site of the existing Perth Leisure Pool and Dewar’s ice rink in Perth, now proceeding is “almost nil”.
The council administration took the controversial decision to withdraw funding from the PH20 project along with providing £14m for a replacement for Pitlochry Primary School at its budget meeting this week, when it set out its stall to prioritise funding for the £50m redevelopment of Perth High School.
Councillor Murray Lyle, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, had defended the budget, stating about £610m would be invested in schools, infrastructure and open spaces.
However, Mike Robinson, chairman of LAL, said: “I am stunned by this short-sighted decision, to remove the commitment of £4.725 million for PH2O and I am surprised there hasn’t been more of a clamour for this project.
“The escalating cost of maintaining these ageing buildings means that this project is time critical and essential not just for sport and leisure, but also for the wider social and economic proposals for the whole of Perth and Kinross.”
And Mr Doogan added: “The chance of Perth now having a first-class leisure centre is almost nil – the decision to withdraw this funding is absolutely ridiculous.”
Meanwhile, Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, described the financial withdrawal from PH20 as an “absolute betrayal”.
“Perth and Kinross Council were still saying that the funding for the project was secure as little as three months ago,” he said. “Now that is totally up in the air.
“Our current facilities are quickly ageing and it is important we do not let the council jeopardise the future of PH20.”
A council spokesperson said: “The council will continue to work with LAL to secure a sustainable future for Perth Leisure Pool and is jointly funding a further market appraisal that will support the outline business case.”
LAL has raised about £5m towards the PH20 project, which would provide around 20 different sports, but hoped for more financial help from the council to proceed with the overall plan.
The chance of Perth now having a first-class leisure centre is almost nil – the decision to withdraw this funding is absolutely ridiculous. COUNCILLOR DAVE DOOGAN