An £85-90million proposal to replace Perth Leisure Pool will go before councillors next week as the preferred option to progress.
Perth and Kinross councillors will meet to set the council’s 2022/23 capital budget on Wednesday, February 23.
Among the proposals outlined in PKC’s capital budget is an ambitious business case for the long-awaited replacement pool and ice rink leisure facility.
PH20 is the name of the project to replace Perth Leisure Pool and Dewars Centre.
Prior to the pandemic over 400,000 people used both facilities each year with 75 per cent of customers coming from Perth and Kinross.
So far this financial year PKC has spent £1.7 million in essential maintenance and repairs on both facilities and £1 million was spent on repairs to Perth Leisure Pool following the August 2020 flood.
The annual utility costs for Perth Leisure Pool and Dewars Centre are currently £500,000. They are expected to increase to £700,000 in 2022/23.
The business case compared a larger estimated £85 to 90 million option with a scaled-down £67 to 70 million option.
Council officers have recommended the higher spend option. The business case estimates it could attract 562,000 visitors a year and reduce utility costs by £420,000 a year.
The preferred option would include a large leisure pool, 25m traditional pool with movable floor, a 12.5 by 8.5m teaching pool with movable floor, gym/group fitness facilities (three studios), bowling (six lanes), ice rink, health spa, family/play facilities (soft play, clip n’ climb), conference space and a café.
Council leader Murray Lyle told the PA :“PH20 is not just about providing a pool but about the economy and wellbeing in Perth.
“It’s not just about footfall but the mental health and wellbeing of people in Perth.”
