Bell's Sports Centre, Perth’s unique  central arena for sport and leisure is under threat. Perth Council plans to reduce its capacity, turning it into an open-air, unheated, unlit arena thus denying sports groups the space they need to function day to day.

Annually, thousands of sports enthusiasts from all over flock to Bells Sports Centre to compete or spectate in a wide range of ball and racket sports as well as gymnastics. It caters for local, national  and international competitors due to its prime location and number of available court spaces in its massive open arena.

 Losing major sports events also means a huge loss of revenue to the local hospitality market, losing an estimated 5000 plus bed spaces per year.

If you run a hotel, B&B, or food shop or a pub or a taxi, then you should support us!

The negative impact on community physical health and wellbeing would also be considerable, limiting access to proper sporting facilities in times of inclement weather and during our dark winter months. Our Council has a duty to ensure our recreational spaces are protected for future generations.

A PARTNERSHIP APPROACH

PKCSN (Perth & Kinross Community Sports Network) is a consortium of sports bodies representing 12 different sports, including Athletics, Bowls, Badminton, Basketball, Floorball, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Hockey, Tennis, Pickleball, Netball, Roller Hockey and Squash as well as disability sports totalling over 3500 local participants.

Bells is seen by schools as a “neutral” venue for activities and sports with both teachers and pupils gaining more enjoyment because it is a “non-school” zone with sport staff rather than teachers.

PKCSN takes the view that the best option to secure the future of the Bells as a multisports venue is to create a Partnership with PKC in the lead role, applying to various grant funding bodies.

Your voice will help such a partnership approach to become reality!

Scottish Water’s improvement works to the drainage system along with the Council’s revised flood policy should massively reduce the future risk of flooding. 

The cost of reinstating Bells will be less than the cost of a new build PH20 and would take less time.

The PH20 facility would only have 6 badminton courts compared to Bells which has over 20.

Our option would ensure a better continuity of indoor sporting facilities in the city.

We aim to obtain over 2000 signatures to demonstrate that the preferred option of people of Perth and surrounding district is very much to retain Bells as a multi-use sports centre.

Please sign this petition to refurbish and reopen Bells Sports Centre as a MULTI-USE INDOOR SPORTS VENUE.

You may also wish to email Thomas Glen (C.E.O.) to express your views – chiefexec@pkc.gov.uk