We must support Bell's petition

I was very pleased recently to meet representatives of the Perth and Kinross Community Sports Network, and sign their petition in support of retaining Bell's Sport Centre in Perth as a multi-use sports facility.

- Murdo Fraser

Local residents will be familiar with Bell's which is an iconic building and been part of the Perth landscape for many decades.

The building has been closed since it was flooded more than a year ago, and so far the Council have no plans to reopen it as a multi-use sports facility, but instead are looking to transform it into an open air venue for football.

It is the view of the Community Sports Network that this would represent a serious reduction in local sports facilities.

Bell's has been for almost 60 years a venue for thriving local leagues in badminton, netball, table tennis, volleyball and many other sports.

There are a great many local residents who will have participated in sports at Bell's as young people, or taken their children or grandchildren along.