The Council meeting is to be held today 22nd January 2024 here is a link to the meeting information.
you can watch the meeting live using this link.
The meeting recording should be published to YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/user/PerthandKinrossCounc
The petition needs to be submitted officially to the Democratic Services Manager in the council to count, which I have now done.
I believe that we have made a difference as the head of Perth and Kinross Council Grant Laing appears to now be recommending that a provision for a curling rink and leisure pool is retained in the proposal. Unfortunately, this this is not clear from correspondence with local councillors I have received over the weekend. It sounds like there might still be no provision for a leisure pool in Perth and Kinross, but we will see in the meeting.
Courier news link
The Vice Chairman for Live Active Leisure has bravely stood down from his position stating that he cannot with conscience support a proposal that does not include a curling rink.
Courier news link
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/perth-kinross/4871401/perth-resigns-ph20-ice-rink-pool/
It is still not too late to contact your local councillor by email before the meeting takes place today.
Find your local councillor
https://perth-and-kinross.cmis.uk.com/perth-and-kinross/Councillors/OverviewofCouncillors.aspx
Thank you for all your support to make your voice heard.
Last Friday I contacted the councillors again, see below for my email to them. I also included some choice comments (sorry if your comment was not included) and I have directed them to read over all the comments on the petition itself.
To <<Councillor Name>>,
Our petition (https://www.change.org/p/save-perth-city-leisure-pool-2024-sign-the-petition-now to raise awareness of the proposed changes with regards to Perth’s leisure complex plan has nearly reached 1000 signatures. That is without any media coverage so far.
There must be some other way to retain the exceptional facilities in the city of Perth. Surely the current swimming pool, Dewars and Bells Sports centre could be made more efficient with regards to heating and its energy costs. An obvious way could be offsetting energy costs by installing solar panels. There is plenty of roof space to install panel on all these facilities. We also have a major energy company (SSE) in the city of Perth which I am sure would be delighted to advise or help with this endeavour. Perth’s leisure facilities are world class, and I am sure any other council in Scotland would be proud to have them.
I want to highlight some comments on the petition which emphasise the public’s desire to keep the existing pool or a new one which will not diminish what the city of Perth already has.
Janie Wright
“Perth leisure pool was where summer never ends! Swimming isn't just about putting in lengths. Swimming is fun, and the leisure pool brought people from far and wide. There are not many leisure centres with flumes anymore, let's not lose the original ph20 plans that had fun at the heart of its intention.”
Gillian Bruce
“The existence of the pool facilities Improves health and well-being, mental & emotional health, opportunity for lots of clubs - providing learning, team building, competition, and fun! The life skill of swimming is essential for all children and adults, where would the schools’ children learn to swim if the pool doesn’t exist? Our schools do not have pools. Financially It generates income from families who come to Perth from all over Scotland to visit and enjoy Perth leisure pool, then they eat in the town’s restaurants, shop in the town, and stay in hotels etc. without it they’d go somewhere else. Also, it is fun!
While costs need to be cut, there must be another way … citizens of Perth cannot be deprived of their pool. “
June Jobson
“By far the best family/fun pool in Scotland.”
Valerie Marshall
“Perth is a dying town, and we should be encouraging people to the area, the swimming pool and curling centre does that, if we destroy this, we are literally killing off Perth to any tourists or attracting young people to stay in the area.”
Shona Payne
“Perth can't afford to lose its leisure pool there is nothing for the kids to do and dewars is a major part of the curling in Scotland.”
Jane Donald
“It is vital for the kids. What else do they have in this town?”
Catriona Mackay
“The leisure pool is important to people of all ages in the area. From young to old. Fitness and fun. It's an outrage that a place the size of Perth won't have a leisure pool facility.”
Mike Penman
“It's ridiculous that you'd even contemplate closing the leisure pool. It has brought joy to so many people and one of the few facilities that Perth can be proud of. Do your jobs properly and maintain what we have, rather than wasting money with your inefficient and incompetent running of the council, while closing down things you ‘cannot afford’.”
Christopher Ness
“Learning how to swim is an essential life skill and having fun in Perth is something that's becoming harder and harder due to the lack of and failing facilities.
The better the product, the better the returns. It may cost initially but will pay for itself and more in the long term, while giving people what they need! It's a no brainer. Do the right thing for Perth and its people please.
We've already told the council how important the Leisure Pool is to us the last time closure was put forward, please listen, and just do the right thing.”
Jen Whyte
“Perth needs a place for families to use and it’s an amazing facility also the ice rink.”
James Low
“Bells sports centre is integral to the North Inch and situated on inalienable Common Good land. Any proposal to dispose of the building is wholly unacceptable.”
The upcoming vote is going to set the path for Perth for generations to come and this economic crisis will not last for ever. We need to have a positive vision for the future where visitors choose the city of Perth as their main holiday destination and where our citizens are proud to call Perth their home.
I am sure everyone will be keeping a close eye on how our representatives vote on Monday.
Kind regards,
David Thomson