Councillor wants to see national sports competitions brought back to Perth

Councillor Pushes for National Sports Competitions to Return to Perth

A councillor in Perth and Kinross is advocating for the revival of national sports competitions in Perth, following the closure of the city’s Bell’s Sports Centre earlier this year. Councillor Frank Smith has urged for financial investment to bring back these tournaments that have now moved to other locations in Scotland. As a former golf professional at Craigie Hill Golf Club, Cllr Smith is passionate about sports and sees the potential in utilising the vacant sports venue to host large-scale events. Speaking at a recent Perth and Kinross Council meeting, Cllr Smith expressed his disappointment at witnessing national competitions no longer being held in Perth.

During the meeting of the council’s Scrutiny and Performance Committee, Cllr Smith questioned Live Active Leisure’s chief executive about efforts to attract major sports events to the city. He highlighted the need to capitalise on opportunities to host tournaments locally instead of having to travel to locations like Toryglen or Ravenscraig for competitions. However, the closure of Bell’s Sports Centre has limited venue options for hosting such events due to financial constraints and flooding issues.

The decision to shut down Bell’s Sports Centre was made due to financial pressures and repeated flooding incidents, with the most significant occurring in October 2023. The closure has led to organisations relocating their events to other venues across Scotland. Plans are underway to construct Perth’s new leisure facility, PH2O, at Thimblerow Car Park, which will offer various sports amenities including pools, a games hall, and a gym. Despite these developments, concerns have been raised over the facility’s scaled-back features compared to initial plans that included an ice rink and leisure pool with flumes.

Cllr Smith emphasised the importance of reactivating Bell’s Sports Centre to fully harness the potential for hosting future tournaments and sporting events in Perth. He highlighted the need for increased investment in sports infrastructure to ensure the city remains a competitive destination for national competitions. With ongoing discussions surrounding the development of PH2O and the potential reopening of Bell’s Sports Centre, the hope is to revitalize Perth as a hub for diverse sporting events in the future.

In conclusion, Councillor Frank Smith’s advocacy for bringing back national sports competitions to Perth highlights the significance of investing in sports infrastructure to attract major events and tournaments. The potential reopening of Bell’s Sports Centre and the development of PH2O present opportunities to enhance Perth’s reputation as a sporting destination. By prioritising the revitalisation of sports facilities and venues, Perth can once again become a prominent host for diverse sporting competitions, benefiting both the local community and the broader sporting landscape.