Call to turn Perth's mothballed Rodney Centre into temporary 'warm space' as its future is decided

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A call has been made to turn the mothballed Live Active Rodney Centre in Perth into a temporary ‘warm hub’ to help those struggling to heat their homes amid the cost of living crisis.

Louise Velazquez of Perth Arts spoke out ahead of a Property Sub-Committee on Monday where councillors will discuss two proposals that would save the former leisure facility from being sold.

Expressions of interest have been submitted by two groups to developing the pavilion into an outdoor and river activities centre or social enterprise cafe.The move would fall under a formal Community Asset Transfer (CAT) and if accepted would save the Dundee Road facility from being put on the market.For months Ms Velazquez has been urging the council to turn the facility into a community arts studio and cafe but is “disappointed” that her group’s proposal will not be part of the agenda at committee.Gym and fitness services were withdrawn from the Rodney Centre over the summer and moved to Bell’s Sports Centre.Other uses were looked at by officers including a bowls venue, a soft play centre and a martial arts centre.Council officers also explored transforming the centre into an annex for Kinnoull Primary School.However, none of these options have been deemed feasible due to the centre’s condition and a market valuation of the property was undertaken.The most recent condition survey in 2019 identified that £600,000 would need to be spent to bring the building up to current standards.The council has to spend £40,000 annually to maintain the building, while business rates (from which LAL were exempt) are around £26,572 per annum.And with options running out councillors will discuss both CAT plans, however the applicants details have not been revealed.An