Blairgowrie has officially welcomed its much-anticipated new leisure centre, a significant development for the town and the wider East Perthshire community. The Beeches Road facility, which opened its doors on Friday, August 29, 2025, marks a new era for local sports and recreation, despite a history of setbacks.
The journey to completion for the Blairgowrie Leisure Centre has been well-documented, experiencing several notable delays and budget adjustments. Initially, the project saw its costs double and its timeline extended by five years. More recently, the opening was postponed further due to unexpected leaks identified within the swimming pool, a critical component of the new complex. However, authorities stood firm, ensuring that all issues were fully resolved before allowing public access, prioritizing the integrity and safety of the new infrastructure.
The impressive new centre is set to replace the existing Blairgowrie Recreational Centre, an establishment that has served the community for four decades and is slated for demolition in approximately six months. This transition represents a significant upgrade, offering modern amenities designed to cater to a diverse range of athletic and recreational pursuits for residents across Perth and Kinross. Community Enthusiasm for Enhanced Facilities
Local residents expressed overwhelming excitement as they stepped into the new building for the first time. Kim Dennis, an early visitor, lauded the facility as “really good for the area.” She particularly looked forward to exploring the swimming pool, noting its increased length as “brilliant.” Her sentiments were echoed by Carol Bisset, who recalled the opening of the original recreational centre in 1982. Ms. Bisset highlighted practical improvements, such as the “much better parking,” which she noted as “a bonus” for users.
The younger generation also shared their positive outlook. Callum, a pupil from Blairgowrie High School, spoke enthusiastically about the benefits for his peers: “It’s great because it allows us to access the Astro so we can play more games.” He added that “the gym upstairs as well; it’s really high quality, better equipment, and something the area has needed,” emphasizing the impact on school sports and general fitness for young people. A ‘Different League’ of Modern Amenities
The state-of-the-art facility boasts a comprehensive array of features, including a 25-meter swimming pool, multiple expansive sports halls suitable for various activities, a fully equipped fitness suite, and a dedicated dance studio. Complementing these are modern changing facilities, administrative offices, and a specialized PE classroom for educational use. Outside, a multi-purpose Astro turf pitch and a spin studio complete the offering, making it a truly versatile hub for active lifestyles.
Councillor Grant Laing, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, underscored the importance of the new centre. “It’s fantastic,” he stated, emphasizing that while it serves as both an educational and community asset, its reach extends beyond Blairgowrie itself, benefiting “all Eastern Perthshire.” Councillor Laing candidly admitted that “we were definitely needing to upgrade what was here before,” drawing a sharp contrast with the aging predecessor. Having been a member of Live Active in Blairgowrie himself, he described the old gym as “getting tired” and proclaimed the new centre to be “just a different league.” He expressed confidence that the new structure, built to a “higher build specification,” would endure for “50 or 60 years” compared to the 40-year lifespan of the previous building.
Addressing earlier concerns about the pool leaks, Councillor Laing affirmed the council’s commitment to public safety and responsible expenditure. He explained, “We would not risk the public purse by taking on a faulty building.” He extended gratitude to all parties involved, acknowledging that “you have to give credit to everybody that’s been involved in the build,” specifically commending BAM, the construction company, for being “very helpful throughout the build and is still being helpful now.” Long-Term Vision for East Perthshire
Blairgowrie Councillor Caroline Shiers also praised the new facility as “brilliant” and highlighted its timely arrival. She noted that it is “long overdue and reflects the change and increase in size of the local community that it’s serving.” Councillor Shiers echoed the sentiment that the centre’s impact would be regional, serving “the whole of East Perthshire,” and predicted its long-term success, stating, “I think it’s going to be fantastic for years and years to come.” This collaborative effort underscores the council’s commitment to providing high-quality public amenities that support the health and well-being of its growing communities. The new Blairgowrie Leisure Centre stands as a testament to perseverance and a vision for a more active future in the region.
The journey to completion for the Blairgowrie Leisure Centre has been well-documented, experiencing several notable delays and budget adjustments. Initially, the project saw its costs double and its timeline extended by five years. More recently, the opening was postponed further due to unexpected leaks identified within the swimming pool, a critical component of the new complex. However, authorities stood firm, ensuring that all issues were fully resolved before allowing public access, prioritizing the integrity and safety of the new infrastructure.
The impressive new centre is set to replace the existing Blairgowrie Recreational Centre, an establishment that has served the community for four decades and is slated for demolition in approximately six months. This transition represents a significant upgrade, offering modern amenities designed to cater to a diverse range of athletic and recreational pursuits for residents across Perth and Kinross. Community Enthusiasm for Enhanced Facilities
Local residents expressed overwhelming excitement as they stepped into the new building for the first time. Kim Dennis, an early visitor, lauded the facility as “really good for the area.” She particularly looked forward to exploring the swimming pool, noting its increased length as “brilliant.” Her sentiments were echoed by Carol Bisset, who recalled the opening of the original recreational centre in 1982. Ms. Bisset highlighted practical improvements, such as the “much better parking,” which she noted as “a bonus” for users.
The younger generation also shared their positive outlook. Callum, a pupil from Blairgowrie High School, spoke enthusiastically about the benefits for his peers: “It’s great because it allows us to access the Astro so we can play more games.” He added that “the gym upstairs as well; it’s really high quality, better equipment, and something the area has needed,” emphasizing the impact on school sports and general fitness for young people. A ‘Different League’ of Modern Amenities
The state-of-the-art facility boasts a comprehensive array of features, including a 25-meter swimming pool, multiple expansive sports halls suitable for various activities, a fully equipped fitness suite, and a dedicated dance studio. Complementing these are modern changing facilities, administrative offices, and a specialized PE classroom for educational use. Outside, a multi-purpose Astro turf pitch and a spin studio complete the offering, making it a truly versatile hub for active lifestyles.
Councillor Grant Laing, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, underscored the importance of the new centre. “It’s fantastic,” he stated, emphasizing that while it serves as both an educational and community asset, its reach extends beyond Blairgowrie itself, benefiting “all Eastern Perthshire.” Councillor Laing candidly admitted that “we were definitely needing to upgrade what was here before,” drawing a sharp contrast with the aging predecessor. Having been a member of Live Active in Blairgowrie himself, he described the old gym as “getting tired” and proclaimed the new centre to be “just a different league.” He expressed confidence that the new structure, built to a “higher build specification,” would endure for “50 or 60 years” compared to the 40-year lifespan of the previous building.
Addressing earlier concerns about the pool leaks, Councillor Laing affirmed the council’s commitment to public safety and responsible expenditure. He explained, “We would not risk the public purse by taking on a faulty building.” He extended gratitude to all parties involved, acknowledging that “you have to give credit to everybody that’s been involved in the build,” specifically commending BAM, the construction company, for being “very helpful throughout the build and is still being helpful now.” Long-Term Vision for East Perthshire
Blairgowrie Councillor Caroline Shiers also praised the new facility as “brilliant” and highlighted its timely arrival. She noted that it is “long overdue and reflects the change and increase in size of the local community that it’s serving.” Councillor Shiers echoed the sentiment that the centre’s impact would be regional, serving “the whole of East Perthshire,” and predicted its long-term success, stating, “I think it’s going to be fantastic for years and years to come.” This collaborative effort underscores the council’s commitment to providing high-quality public amenities that support the health and well-being of its growing communities. The new Blairgowrie Leisure Centre stands as a testament to perseverance and a vision for a more active future in the region.