Scotland’s first ultra-low energy swimming pool and recreation centre to open in Perth and Kinross

Scotland’s first ultra-low energy swimming pool and recreation centre will open to the public early next year.

Perth and Kinross councillors have been told progress on the £36m replacement Blairgowrie Recreation Centre is on track.

While scheduled to open in December 2024, it will open early next year to avoid disruption to Blairgowrie High School’s prelim timetable.

Blairgowrie Rec is used by the school and plays a key role in the school’s prelims as exams are due to be held there before and after the Christmas holidays.

The new replacement recreation centre has been built whilst the existing building remains in use. Only once the new centre opens will work begin on the demolition of the old facility.

An update was provided to Perth and Kinross Council’s Finance and Resources Committee on Wednesday, November 20. It is one of the local authority’s significant capital projects.

PKC’s head of Property Services Stephen Crawford said: “The project remains on programme and I would like to think – subject to the transition from the old rec to the new rec and the prelims which are happening at the secondary at the time; the rec’s a key part of that – that it would be early in the new year the recreation centre should be open to the public.”

Blairgowrie and Glens councillor Tom McEwan congratulated Stephen and the team behind the development.

The SNP elected member said: “It’s been an amazing project and a unique project in the Passivhaus development which was a new way of work for him and his team.

“And I think the people of East Perthshire will be looking forward to the new facility come the new year and I think my youngest daughter is glad they’re not going to interrupt her prelims with opening it prior to that.”

Fellow Blairgowrie and Glens councillor Caroline Shiers added her congratulations to the team on the building’s progress.

The Conservative elected member said: “They have been responsive to the many queries that have come in from the local community, adapted some of the elements such as fences to accommodate that. In a massive build like that on a very tight site, while the school is still operating and the current recreation centre is still operating – lots of challenges but they met them all and am very grateful on behalf of the local community.”

The two-storey building will include a six-lane 25m swimming pool, a four-court sports hall, a two-court sports hall/gymnasium, a fitness suite, adance studio, several different changing facilities, offices and a PE classroom.

It will be used by both the local community and Blairgowrie High School.