By Dave Lord

A HASTILY organised petition criticising Perth and Kinross leisure’s “absurd” decision to cut back opening hours at Aberfeldy recreation centre has gained hundreds of signatures.

The news that opening hours are to be slashed at centres throughout Perth and Kinross has caused consternation among residents, not least in Highland Perthshire.

Chairman of the Aberfeldy recreation centre user group, Peter Donaldson, said members of the public were outraged and would not take the hugely controversial changes lying down.

“The planned reduction in hours at Aberfeldy is to limit the use of the centre and pool to organised activities only until 4 pm then have public use through to 9 pm Monday to Friday,” he told The Courier.

“At the weekend the centre will only be open to the public from 10 am to 1pm.

“PKL informed us that these cutbacks were being implemented purely to save money.

“I have been promised figures to show how much this is saving but as yet they have not produced them.”

Mr Donaldson said the strength of feeling was running very high, as highlighted by a petition that has already been signed by hundreds of locals.

Mr Donaldson has written to council chiefs and the chairman of Perth and Kinross leisure to protest at the reduction in service. “There was initial disbelief and then outrage at the planned reduction in operating hours,” he said.

“At a time when health and fitness is being promoted at all levels of government, it seems absolutely absurd to be reducing opening times of the centre.

“If these changes are meant to create and promote an environment where adults encourage their children into a lifetime habit for exercise then I fail to see the logic behind it.”

Mr Donaldson described the cutbacks as scandalous.

“Feelings are running very high about this issue, not only in Aberfeldy but in communities throughout Highland Perthshire,” he said.

“It is our intention to organise a campaign to demonstrate to the council the depth of feeling within these rural communities.

“We just find it incredible that we are having to spend time and energy on this when we should all be working towards encouraging greater use of the centre.”

Jason Smith is another member of the Aberfeldy recreation centre user group.

“The petition is already going very, very well,” he said.

“PKL tried to keep details of the cutbacks very quiet and local people have been shocked to learn of their extent.

“Aberfeldy recreation centre is a wonderful facility and I believe these reductions are disgraceful.”