Councillor Pushes for Return of National Sports Competitions to Perth
A Perth and Kinross councillor is advocating for financial investments to bring back national sports competitions to Perth. With the closure of Bell’s Sports Centre in the city during the summer, various tournaments that were once held there have now moved to other locations in Scotland. Councillor Frank Smith, a former golf professional at Craigie Hill Golf Club, expressed his disappointment at seeing these national competitions vanish from Perth and urged the council to revive the empty sports venue to tap into the significant potential available.
At a recent meeting of the Perth and Kinross Council’s Scrutiny and Performance Committee, Cllr Smith questioned Live Active Leisure’s chief executive about plans to attract large sports events back to the city. He emphasised the need for proactive event planning to bring tournaments to the area instead of having to go to places like Toryglen and Ravenscraig for competitions. The chief executive highlighted the limitations faced after the closure of Bell’s Sports Centre, citing challenges in accommodating competitions that require substantial seating capacity.
The decision to close Bell’s Sports Centre was attributed to financial constraints and recurring flooding incidents, notably in October 2023 when flood gates on the Perth Flood Prevention Scheme were not closed in time. With competitions previously held at Bell’s now relocated to other venues across Scotland, the call to revitalise sports facilities in Perth has gained momentum. Plans are underway for the construction of PH2O, a new £61 million leisure facility in the city, featuring various amenities including pools, a games hall, gym, and café. Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing with curling bodies to operate the Dewars Centre at a nominal rent.
However, concerns have been raised about the revised scope of the PH2O project compared to earlier proposals, with some councillors questioning the facility’s adequacy for sporting events. Cllr Smith underscored the need to revive Bell’s Sports Centre to cater to a wide array of sports tournaments and unlock the city’s sporting potential. The quest to bring back national sports competitions to Perth continues to gather support, with a push for greater investment in sporting infrastructure to enhance the city’s appeal as a sporting destination.
In summary, Councillor Frank Smith’s proactive stance in advocating for the return of national sports competitions to Perth sheds light on the importance of investing in sporting infrastructure to revitalise the city’s sporting scene. With the closure of Bell’s Sports Centre and the forthcoming development of PH2O, the spotlight is on attracting large-scale sporting events back to Perth and tapping into its vast sporting potential. The ongoing discussions and plans to enhance sporting facilities reflect a shared commitment to position Perth as a vibrant hub for national sports competitions once again.