Ambitious new sports centre plans could be ‘focal point’ for town

Anew sport centre where “everyone will be welcome” could be built in Aberfeldy if plans are approved.

The plans, submitted to Perth and Kinross Council by Aberfeldy Sports Club, will see a new club house built for a number of local clubs and local people to use.

It will also include a bar and restaurant.

To make room for the new building, the current golf club house on Taybridge Road, also used by Aberfeldy RFC, will be demolished.

Bill Bruce, trustee and secretary of Aberfeldy Sports Club, said the new club house will be open to all.

He said: “Aberfeldy needs a focal point.

“We have a town hall, but that doesn’t really act as a drop-in place.

“We will be that – everyone in the community will be welcome.

“The golf club building is very old and membership is going down. We need this for our survival.

“There are several clubs in the area that don’t have facilities – the cricket club operates out of a shipping container and some teams wash in the Tay after they finish games, which isn’t ideal.”

The current clubhouse has no shower facilities, which will be resolved with the new plans, as well as making the area more accessible.

More space will also be provided for wellbeing groups and yoga classes to be able to start up.

Bill said: “I think this will have benefits to people’s mental and physical health.

“Doctors often prescribe going for walks for people who are struggling. By making our paths accessible, we can have walk and talk groups.”

The group also wants to open up the club house to visitors.

Bill added: “There aren’t any public toilets in the town.

“You get bus loads of people visiting The Black Watch monument, and nowhere to use the toilet.

“We are situated right on the Tay Way path, which pretty much goes all the way to Perth and lots of walkers go past with no access to toilets or refreshments.

“We want to be a tourist stop where people can just stop for the toilet or come in for tea and coffee and hopefully prolong their stay in the town.”

Aberfeldy Sports Club has already secured half of the £1 million needed for the project and Bill is confident they will be able to raise the remaining amount.

A consultation event is planned for noon on November 27, where locals can hear more information about the plans.

“The golf club building is very old... we need this for our survival

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: Bill Bruce, top, believes the planned facilities, above, can be of real benefit to people and sports clubs in and around Aberfeldy. Picture by Kenny Smith.