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Daily Record
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Delayed Blairgowrie Recreation Centre set to open at end of August
The full opening, including leak-hit swimming pool, will take place on Friday August 29. The opening date for Blairgowrie Recreation Centre has been set for the end of this month following a series of setbacks including a leaky swimming pool. But Blairgowrie High School pupils will only have access to the 'dry side' of the building when they return on August 22. The full opening, including the swimming pool, will take place the following Friday August 29. The state-of-the-art £36m centre had been due to open in December 2024, but it was put back to early 2025 to avoid disruption to Blairgowrie High School's prelim exam timetable. Construction work commenced in June 2023 to replace the existing Beeches Road centre following hold ups blamed on Brexit, the Covid pandemic, a drainage issue and market volatility caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Once the swimming pool - which has a moveable floor – was filled, several leaks were discovered and contractors spent months working to resolve the issue. Despite this the long-awaited handover – which councillors had been told in June to expect to take place in mid July – did not go ahead due to a leaking pool liner. PKC announced this week that the centre will fully open to the public on Friday August 29. Perth and Kinross Council leader councillor Grant Laing said: 'The people of Eastern Perthshire have waited a long time for a new recreation centre and pressing the start button on the project was a priority for this administration after the 2022 election, which allowed construction to begin in 2023. 'While we are disappointed we were not able to open the building as planned at the start of the year, we wanted to make sure all issues were properly addressed before taking control of the building and getting it ready for opening. 'It would have been remiss of us as a local authority to take control of a building with a known fault and without safeguarding the public purse. 'This will be a fantastic facility for the people of Eastern Perthshire and I am sure it will be extremely popular with residents and pupils alike. 'I attended Blairgowrie High School and can admit to a little envy at the facilities pupils at the school will enjoy compared to what was on offer when I was a pupil.' Blairgowrie Recreation Centre – hailed as being Scotland's first leisure centre to be built to environmentally-friendly Passivhaus standards – will be operated by Live Active Leisure. As well as the swimming pool the new centre has a four-court sports hall, two-court sports hall/gymnasium, fitness suite; dance studio, changing facilities, PE classroom, office and a floodlit synthetic outdoor pitch. Earlier this year PKC leader Grant Laing — who had described the catalogue of delays as 'extremely frustrating' — asked PKC's scrutiny and performance committee to carry out a review of the issues which had led to the delays.
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Capability Scotland is a step closer to building new facilities in Perth
Perth and Kinross Council's in principle decision to allocate part of the Perth Leisure Pool site to the charity represents a "meaningful milestone" Capability Scotland is "really pleased" with Perth and Kinross Council's decision - in principle - to allocate part of the Perth Leisure Pool site to the charity. On Wednesday, June 18 councillors voted - in principle - to allow the charity to relocate from its Upper Springland site to Glover Street. The move has been welcomed by Capability Scotland's chief executive who said it will protect 200 jobs in Perth and care for 100 adults. In September 2024, councillors had voted for affordable housing to be developed on the Glover Street site following the completion of PH2O. In a late twist, the papers - put before councillors on June 18 - included a proposal and recommendation for PKC to provide Capability Scotland the opportunity to remain in the Fair City by relocating its services and accommodation to part of the current Perth Leisure Pool site. Capability Scotland would be allocated the outdoor play area, grass and car park to build its new facilities. Affordable housing is proposed to be built on the site of the Perth Leisure Pool building. Capability Scotland currently provides supported accommodation for 60 residents as well as day care services for clients, with a range of disabilities and complex support needs, at Upper Springland. The Perth City Integrated Investment and Leisure Assets Review Update - put before councillors - explained how the charity's current Upper Springland site is no longer suitable. The council report stated: "The long-established Capability Scotland site at Upper Springland in Perth is no longer suitable for the charity due to the increasing complexity and support needs of the residents who live at this location and the ageing facilities and concerns about the unacceptable flood risk from its location on the banks of the River Tay." Councillors were told previous plans for the charity to relocate to a site at Bertha Park were no longer viable. The report stated that "the financial model and need for significant fundraising which is anticipated to take a number of years now sees this site as being undeliverable". Councillors were recommended to agree in principle to allocating part of the Glover Street site to Capability Scotland, as part of PKC's commitment to its strategic priority of protecting and caring for its most vulnerable people. Moving the proposal - as part of a wider motion on a £97 million investment in Perth and Kinross leisure facilities - council leader Grant Laing said: "Their current site at Upper Springland is no longer fit for purpose. The risks are real, and the options are limited. By supporting their move to Glover Street, we're not just offering a new location — we're helping people stay connected to the community they know and trust. We're protecting continuity of care, retaining over 200 jobs, and bringing new external capital investment and footfall into the city centre." The motion was voted through by 24 votes to 15. Capability Scotland's chief executive Brian Logan said the decision represented a "meaningful milestone" for the charity. Mr Logan said: "We're really pleased with the council's decision in principle to allocate land at Glover Street to Capability Scotland. It's a meaningful milestone that brings us one step closer to delivering the kind of modern, inclusive community that the people we support truly deserve, while protecting 200 local jobs and care for 100 adults. "Following changes to the costs associated with us developing at Bertha Park, we made the difficult but necessary decision to explore alternative locations for the Our Inclusive Community Project, to ensure maximum value for our customers, families, staff and funders. "The Glover Street site was identified after a wide-ranging assessment, that included four other sites including Bertha Park. Glover Street offers us a financially sustainable and integrated location and presents the opportunity to use public land and apply competitive tendering processes that help ensure affordability throughout development. 'Our priority throughout has been to secure a location that ensures long-term safety, accessibility and quality of life for everyone we support, their families, our staff and the wider community." As well as the Capability Scotland development, some affordable housing is still being proposed. Indicative plans show two four-storey blocks of affordable housing accommodation on the Perth Leisure Pool site. A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: "Affordable housing provision will be retained on the site of the current Perth Leisure Pool building, but the details of this will be developed through the masterplan to progress the feasibility and design of the site as set out in the report agreed by council on Wednesday. The attached indicative sketch of the site shows a possibility of four storey-residential blocks on the site of the current Perth Leisure Pool, although this remains subject to further design and development and would not start work until after PH2O at Thimblerow is open as until then Perth Leisure Pool will remain open to ensure swimming pool provision remains available in Perth." How the land will be allocated to Capability Scotland will be subject to further discussion. It is not yet clear whether the Glover St land will be sold to Capability Scotland for a nominal sum. The council spokesperson said: "Discussions regarding land transfer to Capability Scotland is one of the future stages of progressing this, now that council has agreed in principle to the allocation of part of the Glover Street project for this purpose."
Daily Record
27-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Perth fire victims offered financial support from Perth and Kinross Council
The local authority has pledged £250,000 to help those most affected Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) will immediately allocate £250,000 to help Perth residents and businesses impacted by the devastating fire on Scott Street which tragically claimed the life of one man. The Finance and Resources Committee today unanimously agreed to allocate the funding from the council's earmarked reserve for Communities. At the Wednesday, June 18 meeting, councillors were asked to approve the financial move to support the local authority's response to and recovery from the fire. It comes after a fire broke out at 41 Scott Street in the early hours of Saturday, June 14, destroying the entire sandstone building resulting in the loss of several homes and a popular pub, The Royal Bar. Around 50 households have been displaced and several businesses have had to close, including the neighbouring That Bar and Loft Nightclub. Tabling the motion to make the funding available, Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing said it was important the local authority helped those most affected. The SNP leader said: "It is still early days, and it is likely that there will be a call for other funding, but it is important that the council stands with our citizens and communities in their hour of need. "So today I am proposing the immediate allocation of £250,000 from the Communities earmarked reserve to support those very communities. This initial package will provide enhanced support for people and for businesses as well as recognise that the council is incurring additional costs too. "Specifically, as well as augmenting the Scottish Welfare Fund and Financial Insecurity Fund, this investment will assist residents affected by rent shortfalls, who are not eligible for other support. "For businesses directly impacted by the demolition and closures, funding to support their immediate recovery costs as well as future expenses linked to reopening or relocation. "Looking ahead, we may also look at how we encourage footfall back into the areas affected. "And finally, resources for the immediate council response including, but not restricted to, traffic management, additional staff costs, building safety and homelessness. "Clearly the council's response is still evolving. Therefore I further move that responsibility for the allocation of this funding will be delegated to the chief finance officer who will provide the committee with updates on its use at future meetings." The move comes following last week's announcement the Scottish Government had activated the Bellwin Scheme. He said discussions between council officers and civil servants around wider financial support were ongoing. Cllr Laing added: "However, that will take time. "This motion is about getting financial support out to people and business now." The motion was seconded by Finance and Resources Committee convener Stewart Donaldson and received the unanimous support of councillors. Perth City Centre ward councillor Peter Barrett "wholeheartedly" supported the motion and praised the council response, which included a drop-in session on Tuesday for those impacted by the fire and subsequent road and building closures. The Liberal Democrat councillor said: "I attended the drop-in event yesterday and was again really heartened by the council's ability to have all key agencies and essential support services gathered under one roof to assist the victims, the traumatised displaced residents and the businesses forced into closure." "We need to be there for them. So the measures proposed in this motion are vital if we are to reduce the stress, the anguish and loss that people have suffered and are suffering. We cannot eliminate that but we can do our best to support people through the coming months." Conservative group leader John Duff thanked Cllr Laing for bringing the motion to council. Cllr Duff added: "The consequences of the fatal and catastrophic fire in Scott St are going to be with us for a long time to come. "As a council, we have a duty to respond with assistance and I'm glad we've moved quickly to progress this initial funding." Deputy council leader Eric Drysdale, who represents the Perth City Centre ward, added: "Many have lost everything they had. "Others in neighbouring properties have also had to face significant challenges which will continue until they are able to get home safely, but the consequences of this tragedy will doubtless continue to affect them for months and years to come. "Then there are the businesses who have had to close and who may not have had business interruption insurance, and also their employees will potentially be adversely impacted. "Of course the financial effects are one thing, but we must also remember that one family has lost something even more precious, the life of a loved one, and I know they are grieving deeply as we all strive to take forward this recovery phase."
STV News
25-06-2025
- Business
- STV News
Council to provide £250,000 to support those impacted by city centre fire
Perth and Kinross Council will provide £250,000 to support residents and businesses impacted by a fatal fire. A man died in the blaze that took place on 41 Scott Street in Perth city centre in the early hours of Saturday, June 14. The building was also destroyed in the fire and demolition work is already underway. Several residential and business properties remain closed for safety reasons, and 55 households have had to be rehoused as a result of the damage caused. The local council's Finance and Resources Committee approved releasing the money from the Communities Earmarked Reserve when it met on Wednesday. Councillor Grant Laing, vice convenor of the Finance and Resources Committee, said: 'It is still early days, and it is likely that there will be a call for other funding, but it is important that the Council stands with our citizens and communities in their hour of need. 'So today I am proposing the immediate allocation of £250,000 from the Communities earmarked Reserve to support those very communities. 'Specifically, as well as augmenting the Scottish Welfare Fund and Financial Insecurity Fund, this investment will assist residents affected by rent shortfalls who are not eligible for other support. 'For businesses directly impacted by the demolition and closures, funding to support their immediate recovery costs as well as future expenses linked to reopening or relocation. 'Looking ahead, we may also look at how we encourage footfall back into the areas affected.' Finance and Resources Convenor Councillor Stewart Donaldson added: 'There will be additional funding but it is vital we provide immediate support to all those impacted by the fire. 'This was a devastating event and I would like to thank everyone who has provided support to those affected. The response from communities across Perth and Kinross has been inspiring.' Perth and Kinross Council hosted a drop-in session for those affected by the fire on Tuesday, which offered advice on a range of issues. Partner agencies providing support also attended. A second session will take place on Friday. Supported by Pete Wishart MP and John Swinney MSP, it will have a focus on insurance issues. The event will be attended by representatives of Perth-based insurance firm Aviva and the Association of British Insurers. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
25-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Perth fire victims get £250,000 in council support
Perth and Kinross Council will provide £250,000 to support local residents affected by a fatal fire in Perth earlier this month.A man died and two people - an eight-year-old girl and a 27-year-old man - were taken to hospital after a fire broke out on the corner of Scott Street and South Street in the early hours of Saturday 14 council leader Eric Drysdale said that the internal stairwell of the building had been destroyed during the fire, leaving no other means of escape for said the girl taken to hospital had been seriously injured but was now recovering. Crews from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service worked through the night into Saturday morning to extinguish the firefighters, one of whom was struck by falling masonry, were given medical entire building will be demolished as a result of the blaze and 50 families have been is expected to be significant disruption in the area for months. The new funds will help residents affected by rent shortfalls who may not be eligible for other support. Council leader Grant Laing said: "It is still early days, and it is likely that there will be a call for other funding, but it is important that the council stands with our citizens and communities in their hour of need."He acknowledged that the Scottish government had pledged its support but said that would take time."This motion is about getting financial support out to people and business now," he impacted by the demolition of the building and road closures will be given direct financial help to support immediate costs as well as any future reopening or relocation expenses. Last week, councillors were told that about 70 businesses had approached the local authority for help after the money will also support the council's wider response to homelessness, traffic management and building local authority said it may also look at how it could encourage footfall back into the area in the future.
