Council looks set for PH2O go-ahead

Perth and Kinross Council looks set to approve building Perth’s proposed new £74 million swimming pool and leisure centre at Thimblerow on Wednesday.

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

Perth and Kinross Council’s Liberal Democrat group leader Peter Barrett has now announced he will vote to support building PH2O on the Perth city centre car park site.

Should all five Liberal Democrats support the minority SNP administration of 17 councillors, along with Labour councillor Alasdair Bailey, that would be enough to see the proposal go through when all 40 councillors vote this week.

However, in the world of Perth and Kinross Council nothing is ever guaranteed. The long-awaited PH2O projectfirst floated in 2014 - has seen more twists and turns than the flumes which are now included in the latest proposal being put before councillors this Wednesday.

SNP council leader Grant Laing is urging all councillors to get behind the recommendation being put before elected members.

On Wednesday, councillors will be asked to support a £97m investment on Perth and Kinross leisure facilities, which - as well as the revised £74 million Thimblerow PH2O proposal - includes plans to upgrade leisure facilities in Kinross and Crieff and develop Perth's Bell's Sports Centre as an unheated, covered sports pitch/events space.

Council leader Grant Laing said: “I would like to think that all elected members would support the proposal.

“It's taken 12 years to get here. If successful, we can crack on and get it built. PH2O was going to cost £25 million when it was first proposed.”

And on Monday, Liberal Democrat group leader Peter Barrett revealed he too wants to avoid any more delays on the project and will support the proposal being tabled by the council's SNP administration.

The Perth City Centre councillor said: