New swimming pool is at least 'five years away' from opening

The head of Live Active Leisure understands Perth’s new swimming pool and leisure centre will not be ready within the next five years.

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

Chief executive Paul Cromwell told councillors this week, as far as he was aware, the long-awaited PH2O was “at least five years away”.

The revelation was made at a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s Scrutiny and Performance Committee on Wednesday, April 23.

The Live Active Leisure boss was providing an update to councillors, alongside the council's two other arm’s length external organisations - Culture Perth and Kinross and Perth Theatre and Concert Hall.

Cllr Willie Robertson asked Mr Cromwell if the gym facilities - which were moved from Bell’s Sports Centre to the Dewars Centre last year - were permanent or if they would be reusable at PH2O.

Mr Cromwell said: “I suppose to a certain degree, there is the potential still of a blank canvas in that it could be converted into something else with suitable investment.

“Obviously, we have made changing rooms which will be a permanent fixture going forward.

“I'm not going to labour on PH2O but it is still at least five years away, to my knowledge.