Construction of the state-of-the-art, energy-efficient centre began in June 2023 and was due to open earlier this year. The project, delivered for Perth & Kinross Council, replaces the town’s ageing 40-year-old leisure facility. Designed to meet rigorous Passivhaus standards, the new building promises significantly reduced energy consumption and improved indoor environmental quality for both community and school use.

The new centre features a six-lane 25-metre pool, a four-court sports hall, a two-court gymnasium, fitness suite, dance studio, PE classroom, various changing areas, offices, and a floodlit synthetic pitch.

However, the opening has been postponed after a leak was discovered around the moveable floor equipment in the swimming pool. Following initial repairs, further testing identified a second minor leak, prompting contractors to drain the pool for comprehensive inspection of all fixings and seals. Repairs are ongoing, with no revised opening date yet confirmed.

Perth & Kinross Council has confirmed that no additional public costs have been incurred as a result of the delays, and the council will not accept handover of the building until all defects are resolved.

Council leader Councillor Grant Laing has called for a formal review into the delays. In a letter to Councillor Colin Stewart, convener of the council’s Scrutiny and Performance Committee, Laing emphasised the importance of learning from the technical issues to prevent similar occurrences in future builds.

“We are all looking forward to Blairgowrie Recreation Centre opening,” he said. “However, it is extremely frustrating that we have had to keep pushing back the opening date while contractors resolve these issues with the pool.”

Stephen Crawford, strategic lead for property services at the council, echoed the sentiment: “Blairgowrie Recreation Centre is a hugely important facility for our residents in Eastern Perthshire and we want the building to be in perfect condition before it opens.”

BAM UK and Ireland’s construction director, Paul Carle, acknowledged the delays and apologised for the disruption. “The pool is a complex design, and we have been working with specialist contractors to deliver it,” he said. “Unfortunately, there have been technical issues, and it’s right that we take time to correct these before it opens to the public.”

He added: “We remain fully focused on completing the necessary repairs as early as possible.”

In the meantime, the existing Blairgowrie Recreation Centre will remain operational and will serve as the venue for upcoming SQA exams.