Perth Leisure Pool and Dewars Centre could close this year

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Perth Leisure Pool and Dewars Centre could close this year with high energy costs a major factor.A councillor has revealed Live Active Leisure proposed "a number of significant cuts" including the closure of Dewars Centre from July 1 and Perth Leisure Pool from September 1.It is understood the proposal was made during a briefing to councillors prior to last week's meeting where they agreed the 2023/24 budget meeting for Perth and Kinross Council.Live Active Leisure's chairman David Maclehose, has since confirmed Live Active "is having to consider difficult choices from a wide range of savings proposals".Conservative group leader John Duff revealed the pressures facing Live Active Leisure at PKC's budget meeting on Wednesday March 1.Tabling his group's revenue budget amendment Cllr John Duff said: "Live Active Leisure propose a number of significant cuts to services including closure of Perth Leisure Pool from 1 September this year and the Dewar’s Centre from 1 July."We recognise that these facilities are expensive to operate and have proposed funding of £350,000 and £360,000 respectively in order to keep both facilities fully open during 2023/24."The Conservative amendment was rejected but the approved SNP budget did commit £150,000 for a council-wide review of leisure and cultural assets in Perth and Kinross.SNP council leader Grant Laing said: "When it comes to supporting and promoting physical and mental wellbeing, we are maintaining the council’s contribution to our Arm's-length External Organisations (ALE0) in the next financial year."He added: "However, the important services delivered through our ALEOs must be affordable and sustainable.