Leaking pool problems delays demolition plan

Former leisure building to remain until full resolution

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

The old Blairgowrie Recreation Centre's demolition has been delayed by six months due to issues with the new £36 million centre’s leaking pool not being completely resolved.

A Perth and Kinross Council report into the 34-week delay opening the new leisure centre has revealed there is still water seeping into its technical room.

The water ingress is thought to be residual but - if there is an ongoing defect - the old recreation centre is being kept up for six months just in case it needs to reopen as a backup.

Councillors have been told the cost is being borne by HubCo.

Blairgowrie Recreation Centre has already had several issues since it belatedly opened to the public on August 29.

On September 3, the pool hoist was temporarily out of action “due to a technical issue” which was fixed later the following day.

On September 6 its phone lines were temporarily unavailable “due to scheduled maintenance”.

On September 8 the swimming pool was temporarily closed due to an issue with heating the water. And on September 12 the whole venue was closed all day due to issues with the building's water supply.

Blairgowrie Recreation Centre was originally scheduled to be completed by December 16, 2024. The complex Passivhaus design project was delivered through Hub East Central Scotland (Hub) with BAM Construction being the main contractor.

However, a series of leaks and faults led to the long-awaited new leisure centre's completion being delayed by 34 weeks.