A significant controversy is brewing in Perth and Kinross regarding the future of the city’s leisure facilities. Concerns are mounting that the council’s ambitious housing plans are overshadowing the needs of the local sporting and recreational community. At the heart of the matter is the proposed redevelopment of the Thimblerow area, a plan that has ignited significant opposition.
The current proposals involve the construction of a new leisure center at Thimblerow, a location currently serving as a valuable parking area. This development comes with a significant caveat: to fund the construction, a portion of the Glover Street land, currently occupied by Perth Leisure Pool, would be rezoned for residential use, accommodating up to 150 new homes. This decision has sparked outrage amongst local residents and community groups, leading to the creation of several petitions expressing strong opposition. Concerns Over Council Priorities
Community groups have voiced their apprehension, asserting that the council’s overwhelming focus on housing initiatives is jeopardizing the long-term provision of vital recreational amenities. They argue that the proposed shift prioritizes residential expansion over the welfare of the city’s athletic and leisure infrastructure. The existing Perth Leisure Pool is a much-loved facility, and its potential closure would leave a major gap in the community’s services.
The council’s initial proposal was even more substantial, initially suggesting the construction of 250 new residential units on Glover Street, impacting not just the leisure pool but also the Dewars Centre. This more extensive plan has since been revised, but the reduction remains a point of contention among residents and sports advocates. Community Outcry and Protests
The contentious nature of the Thimblerow plan has spurred considerable public opposition. Multiple petitions, amassing over 6,200 signatures collectively, demonstrate the widespread dissatisfaction with the council’s approach. The strength of feeling is palpable, extending beyond individual concerns to encompass organized protests and public demonstrations attended by local residents, council members, and representatives from various sporting organizations.
Leading sports organizations across Perth and Kinross have also publicly criticized the council’s decision-making process and expressed their profound anxieties about the potential impact on the city’s athletic infrastructure. The ongoing debate has also sparked a separate petition to preserve Thimblerow car park, highlighting its importance as a primary parking facility within Perth. Council’s Stance and Future Plans
Perth and Kinross Council maintains that its corporate priorities—addressing poverty, promoting wellbeing, and fostering a robust local economy—are paramount in shaping its approach to urban development and land management. The council points out the critical shortage of affordable housing within the region, with several thousand people registered on a waiting list. They are adamant the housing crisis demands urgent intervention and that their proposals for Thimblerow efficiently balance this need against improvements to the city’s leisure infrastructure.
Council representatives emphasize that the new leisure centre will be modern and environmentally sustainable, contrasting it with the outdated, inefficient nature of the existing Perth Leisure Pool. The opportunity presented by the Thimblerow project, they say, provides a unique chance to tackle the region’s housing challenges effectively while ensuring improved sporting and recreational services for the community.
However, critics remain unconvinced. They highlight the fact that the council’s priorities, as stated by its chief executive, do not explicitly mention the need to retain or build recreational facilities, leaving many to question whether the council has prioritized new homes above the leisure needs of the city. This point is further emphasized by the council’s initial, more far-reaching plans for the Glover Street site.
The upcoming council meeting, scheduled for next month, promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing saga. The decision made there will undoubtedly shape the future landscape of Perth and Kinross for years to come, influencing not only the city’s housing stock but also the provision of essential community amenities. The outcome will demonstrate the council’s commitment to balancing the needs of its residents with the maintenance of a vibrant and active community life, reflecting upon their ability to effectively address complex and often competing demands of both housing and leisure provisions. The future of Perth’s leisure facilities and the broader community is inextricably linked to the decision which is to be made and the public outcry is unlikely to abate until a concrete decision is finalized. The Impact on Local Businesses
Beyond the direct impact on residents, the council’s decision will also significantly affect local businesses. The closure of Perth Leisure Pool could lead to job losses and reduce footfall in surrounding businesses, impacting the local economy. The development of new housing, however, could bring new residents and therefore increased business activity. The long term impact on the local economy remains to be seen.
The current proposals involve the construction of a new leisure center at Thimblerow, a location currently serving as a valuable parking area. This development comes with a significant caveat: to fund the construction, a portion of the Glover Street land, currently occupied by Perth Leisure Pool, would be rezoned for residential use, accommodating up to 150 new homes. This decision has sparked outrage amongst local residents and community groups, leading to the creation of several petitions expressing strong opposition. Concerns Over Council Priorities
Community groups have voiced their apprehension, asserting that the council’s overwhelming focus on housing initiatives is jeopardizing the long-term provision of vital recreational amenities. They argue that the proposed shift prioritizes residential expansion over the welfare of the city’s athletic and leisure infrastructure. The existing Perth Leisure Pool is a much-loved facility, and its potential closure would leave a major gap in the community’s services.
The council’s initial proposal was even more substantial, initially suggesting the construction of 250 new residential units on Glover Street, impacting not just the leisure pool but also the Dewars Centre. This more extensive plan has since been revised, but the reduction remains a point of contention among residents and sports advocates. Community Outcry and Protests
The contentious nature of the Thimblerow plan has spurred considerable public opposition. Multiple petitions, amassing over 6,200 signatures collectively, demonstrate the widespread dissatisfaction with the council’s approach. The strength of feeling is palpable, extending beyond individual concerns to encompass organized protests and public demonstrations attended by local residents, council members, and representatives from various sporting organizations.
Leading sports organizations across Perth and Kinross have also publicly criticized the council’s decision-making process and expressed their profound anxieties about the potential impact on the city’s athletic infrastructure. The ongoing debate has also sparked a separate petition to preserve Thimblerow car park, highlighting its importance as a primary parking facility within Perth. Council’s Stance and Future Plans
Perth and Kinross Council maintains that its corporate priorities—addressing poverty, promoting wellbeing, and fostering a robust local economy—are paramount in shaping its approach to urban development and land management. The council points out the critical shortage of affordable housing within the region, with several thousand people registered on a waiting list. They are adamant the housing crisis demands urgent intervention and that their proposals for Thimblerow efficiently balance this need against improvements to the city’s leisure infrastructure.
Council representatives emphasize that the new leisure centre will be modern and environmentally sustainable, contrasting it with the outdated, inefficient nature of the existing Perth Leisure Pool. The opportunity presented by the Thimblerow project, they say, provides a unique chance to tackle the region’s housing challenges effectively while ensuring improved sporting and recreational services for the community.
However, critics remain unconvinced. They highlight the fact that the council’s priorities, as stated by its chief executive, do not explicitly mention the need to retain or build recreational facilities, leaving many to question whether the council has prioritized new homes above the leisure needs of the city. This point is further emphasized by the council’s initial, more far-reaching plans for the Glover Street site.
The upcoming council meeting, scheduled for next month, promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing saga. The decision made there will undoubtedly shape the future landscape of Perth and Kinross for years to come, influencing not only the city’s housing stock but also the provision of essential community amenities. The outcome will demonstrate the council’s commitment to balancing the needs of its residents with the maintenance of a vibrant and active community life, reflecting upon their ability to effectively address complex and often competing demands of both housing and leisure provisions. The future of Perth’s leisure facilities and the broader community is inextricably linked to the decision which is to be made and the public outcry is unlikely to abate until a concrete decision is finalized. The Impact on Local Businesses
Beyond the direct impact on residents, the council’s decision will also significantly affect local businesses. The closure of Perth Leisure Pool could lead to job losses and reduce footfall in surrounding businesses, impacting the local economy. The development of new housing, however, could bring new residents and therefore increased business activity. The long term impact on the local economy remains to be seen.