The recent Perth and Kinross Council decision regarding the new leisure centre has ignited a heated community discussion. The £74 million project, slated for the Thimblerow site, has drawn significant opposition, leading to protests and considerable controversy. While the inclusion of a leisure pool with water slides—a long-standing community desire—is a potential positive, several key aspects of the decision remain contentious. Public Opinion and the Thimblerow Location
A recurring theme throughout the planning process has been the apparent lack of public support for the Thimblerow location. Numerous residents and local sports clubs voiced strong objections, expressing concerns about accessibility, parking, and the overall suitability of the site. During a council meeting, a council member directly questioned whether any significant public support existed for the Thimblerow proposal, receiving no affirmative responses from council officials. This lack of public endorsement for the chosen location has fueled much of the public anger. The Late Emergence of Capability Scotland’s Involvement
The council’s current Thimblerow proposal includes a new centre for Capability Scotland, a local care charity. However, this partnership appears to have been established relatively late in the planning process. Questions arose during council discussions about the financial terms of the land sale to Capability Scotland, and if a standard procurement process was undertaken. It was revealed that no formal price had been agreed and that there was no competitive bidding process. The late integration of this aspect into the plan has raised concerns about transparency and fairness. Missing Economic Impact Assessment
Remarkably, no formal economic analysis has been conducted to evaluate the potential consequences of losing the Thimblerow car park, a significant and well-used facility in Perth. This omission was highlighted by a councillor who raised the concern during the meeting. The lack of this essential assessment has sparked criticism, questioning the thoroughness of the council’s decision-making process and their understanding of the wider economic implications for local businesses and residents. Conflicting Business Plans for Bell’s Sports Centre
The decision to build the new leisure centre at Thimblerow effectively resulted in the closure of Bell’s Sports Centre. Despite a detailed 14-page business proposal submitted by the Perth and Kinross Community Sports Network (PKCSN), advocating for the continued operation of Bell’s, the council proceeded with its Thimblerow plans. PKCSN argued that its detailed proposal was inadequately considered compared to the council’s own, less comprehensive, plans. This disparity in the treatment of the two proposals has generated considerable disappointment and frustration among local sports enthusiasts and users of Bell’s. The Unresolved Future of the Dewars Centre
The future of the Dewars Centre, a well-regarded curling facility in Perth, remains uncertain following the Thimblerow decision. While little to no discussion of this facility’s future occurred within the council meeting, the closure of Bell’s and selection of Thimblerow likely necessitate the Dewars Centre’s independent search for solutions to ensure its ongoing operations. The lack of clear direction or support from the council for the Dewars Centre has caused anxiety amongst its users.
The overall decision regarding the new leisure centre has raised significant concerns about community engagement, transparency, and the potential long-term implications for Perth and Kinross. These unresolved issues are certain to continue to shape community conversations.
A recurring theme throughout the planning process has been the apparent lack of public support for the Thimblerow location. Numerous residents and local sports clubs voiced strong objections, expressing concerns about accessibility, parking, and the overall suitability of the site. During a council meeting, a council member directly questioned whether any significant public support existed for the Thimblerow proposal, receiving no affirmative responses from council officials. This lack of public endorsement for the chosen location has fueled much of the public anger. The Late Emergence of Capability Scotland’s Involvement
The council’s current Thimblerow proposal includes a new centre for Capability Scotland, a local care charity. However, this partnership appears to have been established relatively late in the planning process. Questions arose during council discussions about the financial terms of the land sale to Capability Scotland, and if a standard procurement process was undertaken. It was revealed that no formal price had been agreed and that there was no competitive bidding process. The late integration of this aspect into the plan has raised concerns about transparency and fairness. Missing Economic Impact Assessment
Remarkably, no formal economic analysis has been conducted to evaluate the potential consequences of losing the Thimblerow car park, a significant and well-used facility in Perth. This omission was highlighted by a councillor who raised the concern during the meeting. The lack of this essential assessment has sparked criticism, questioning the thoroughness of the council’s decision-making process and their understanding of the wider economic implications for local businesses and residents. Conflicting Business Plans for Bell’s Sports Centre
The decision to build the new leisure centre at Thimblerow effectively resulted in the closure of Bell’s Sports Centre. Despite a detailed 14-page business proposal submitted by the Perth and Kinross Community Sports Network (PKCSN), advocating for the continued operation of Bell’s, the council proceeded with its Thimblerow plans. PKCSN argued that its detailed proposal was inadequately considered compared to the council’s own, less comprehensive, plans. This disparity in the treatment of the two proposals has generated considerable disappointment and frustration among local sports enthusiasts and users of Bell’s. The Unresolved Future of the Dewars Centre
The future of the Dewars Centre, a well-regarded curling facility in Perth, remains uncertain following the Thimblerow decision. While little to no discussion of this facility’s future occurred within the council meeting, the closure of Bell’s and selection of Thimblerow likely necessitate the Dewars Centre’s independent search for solutions to ensure its ongoing operations. The lack of clear direction or support from the council for the Dewars Centre has caused anxiety amongst its users.
The overall decision regarding the new leisure centre has raised significant concerns about community engagement, transparency, and the potential long-term implications for Perth and Kinross. These unresolved issues are certain to continue to shape community conversations.