Perthshire parliamentarians welcome Perth leisure facilities’ reprieve

Published date : 17 March, 2023

News Release from Pete Wishart, John Swinney and Jim Fairlie

Attn: News Desk For immediate release 17 March 2023

Pete Wishart MP, John Swinney MSP and Jim Fairlie MSP have welcomed the announcement from the SNP Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) administration that Perth Leisure Pool will remain open. Their comments come after the welcome decision of Live Active Leisure’s (LAL) board on Thursday evening to keep the facilities open. This meeting followed on from previous meetings between senior officials from PKC, leading SNP administration members and LAL board members and officers.

Commenting Mr Wishart said:

“It is fantastic news that Perth Leisure Pool and Dewar’s Centre will remain open following a successful agreement being reached between Perth and Kinross Council and Live Active Leisure. Better still, this agreement has been reached without the council forking out several hundreds of thousands of pounds, as the Conservatives insisted on.

“This is yet another display of the effective governance of the SNP administration, which is sustaining our vital facilities at a time of huge financial instability.”

Also commenting, Mr Swinney said:

“I am pleased that, following a period of uncertainty, it has been confirmed that Perth Leisure Pool and Dewars Centre will remain open.

It is essential that people staying in Perth and the surrounding areas have convenient access to leisure facilities. To that end, I am sure that this news will be welcomed by all.

“This is a victory for the SNP council administration, who have worked closely with Live Active Leisure to secure this positive outcome. Following years of mismanagement and chaotic in-fighting from the prior Tory administration, it is pleasing to have in place local leadership that is getting on with the job of making people’s lives better and protecting local services.”

Commenting, Mr Fairlie said:

“I am absolutely delighted that Perth Leisure Pool has been given a reprieve. It provides many Perthshire kids with their first experience of swimming and is vital for the wellbeing of residents across Perth and Kinross.

“The Tory claims of a bonanza ‘Swimming Fund’ have been unfortunate, given that the Barnett consequential would see each of the five LAL pools in Perth and Kinross with an estimated measly £34k – a drop in the ocean in the current context.

“Thanks to the good financial management of Perth and Kinross Council from the SNP group, it is reassuring that discussions between Live Active Leisure and PKC have been fruitful.”

ENDS

For more information, please email me at [email protected] or contact Mr Wishart’s office on 01738 639 598.

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