No Olympia and now potentially no Perth Leisure Pool - Tayside parents question where they can take the bairns swimming
Taysiders may have to travel as far as Aberdeen for a family day out to the swimming
Last updated 10th Mar 2023
Families in Tayside have been left in limbo with the potential closure of the beloved Perth Leisure Pool.
For many people in Dundee over the past year-and-a-half the venue has been a welcome replacement to the Olympia - which has been shut since October 2021.
Read more: The facility is due to reopen later this year, however.
But now, operator Live Active Leisure has proposed “a number of significant cuts” including the closure of Dewars Centre from July 1 and Perth Leisure Pool from September 1.
Its understood soaring energy costs is a major factor.
"A disaster for Perth"
MSP for Mid-Scotland & Fife, Murdo Fraser, is among those who've voiced their concern.
He and Conservative colleague, Liz Smith, wrote to Councillor Grant Laing, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, to clarify the future of the facilities.
Commenting, Mr Fraser, said: "If this proposal does go ahead it would be dire news for the residents of Perth and the city itself.
"This is why we have decided to write to Councillor Grant Laing, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, to express our concerns.
“We were very disappointed to learn that an amendment to the Budget put forward by the Scottish Conservative group in Perth and Kinross, which proposed funding of £350,000 and £360,000 respectively to ensure both facilities would be kept open during 2023/24, was rejected at the budget meeting.”
Mr Fraser continued: “I’m sure that most local residents will have been shocked to learn of this proposal.
"Many people, including lots of families, use Perth Leisure Pool, with visitors travelling from far and wide to use its facilities.
"With the Olympia Swimming Pool in Dundee still closed where will people go to swim, and where will children learn to swim?
“Similarly, the Dewars Centre is a popular venue, with Perth having a long association with the sport of curling being played there. Curling has produced many good players from Perth through the years, including Olympic champion Eve Muirhead".
"Swimming pools are vital to communities"
The head of Scottish Swimming, Graeme Marchbank, swimming and aquatic activities has a massive impact on individuals and communities.
He said: "In Scotland in any one week we've got over 100,000 children learning to swim and taking part in swimming activities.
"A reduction in that could and will eventually put children's lives at risk.
He added "its a skill for life".
"It is such an anxious time for us"
Parent Claire Hannah told us its such an anxious time for her family.
She said: "My daughter has been swimming at PLP since she was a baby and now is in Perth City Swim Club.
"They already missed so much time in the water during COVID and the pool being flooded, now this prospect of no pool. I honestly can not even begin to imagine the physical and mental impact this will have on so many people from young to old.
"So many clubs will be impacted and there will be a whole generation who do not have a basic life skill of swimming.
"It is a travesty when you look at the rise of swimming on an international level.
"Scottish swimmers are really coming through now and it will be a dying sport in Scotland if all these pools close. Quite literally there is barely anything in Perth for children and if the pool and ice rink close there will be nothing for them to have fun while keeping fit at the same time".
"We'll need to go to Aberdeen for a decent pool"
A Dundee parent was shocked when they learnt the news about the potential closure of Perth Leisure Pool.
She, who didn't want to be named, said "We will need to go to Aberdeen for a decent pool.
"People in Dundee will be fuming.
"I know lots of parents who take their kids to Perth for swimming".
Perth & Kinross Council committed to keeping 'key' facilities running
A spokesperson for P&K Council said: “Perth and Kinross Council recognises this is a hugely challenging time for all Leisure Trusts.
Accordingly, it rejected all proposals to reduce Live Active Leisure’s funding in setting its 2023/24 revenue budget last week, and allocated an extra £110,000 for LAL to keep key services in rural areas running.
“The Council is also investing £150,000 in a strategic review of all leisure and culture facilities. The review will inform which facilities need future investment, based on customer needs, current building condition and other factors.
“Live Active Leisure still has internal spending pressures and the LAL Board is now considering how best to achieve this whilst maintaining services across Perth and Kinross as effectively as it can. It is working closely with the Council on this.”
Councillor Grant Laing, Leader of Perth & Kinross Council said: “This Administration were pleased to support LAL, and our other Arms Length Organisations in this year’s budget.
"However, the important services delivered through our ALEOs must be affordable and sustainable.
"As such, this Administration is committed to a review of all three organisations to bring forward savings for financial year 24/25 and beyond.”