By Alan Richardson

ONLY THE council can save the Healthworks leisure complex and prevent a “sporting crisis” in Perth and Kinross, it has been stated.

The committee battling to keep the Pitheavlis centre open beyond the end of the month has pleaded with Perth & Kinross Leisure to take up the lease and stop a critical shortfall in cover.

Norwich Union said it will not renew the Healthworks lease, but with building owners LST and management firm Sodexho willing to stay involved, it just needs a new leaseholder to save the centre.

If it closes, hundreds of former members will be left without provision, and clubs would go to the wall because people would have nowhere to play their sports.

Save Healthworks Action Committee chairman Mike Robinson said, “I believe we have now exhausted most avenues and achieved as much clarity as we can expect.

“The committee have now requested the council’s formal engagement with the possible rescue of this centre as a public leisure facility,” he said.

“Everyone has been surprised by NU’s decision and the speed of that decision, but Norwich Union have made it clear they are not going to change their minds.

“The building’s owners, the employers, the staff, the members, the public, politicians, councillors, PKL and many others would all like to see the facility stay open, at least in the short to medium term, not least because the closure would leave Perth critically exposed in terms of sporting provision, and stress many of the other facilities which are already close to capacity.

“Many sports and individuals are affected but, with 300 children getting swimming lessons at NU, for example, it is as if half a generation of kids will not be able to learn to swim.”

A review of health provision is under way but results are some way off and the committee said a five-year agreement would be a perfect “stop gap.”

Mr Robinson said, “We believe this is the only credible way to prevent a sporting crisis in Perth and Kinross.

“The prices of membership at Healthworks are almost directly compatible with those of PKL’s membership rates, so an assimilation into PKL’s portfolio would be relatively seamless.

“One of the key characteristics of the 3500 members at NU Healthworks is the high family membership and one of its appeals is the reasonable rates.”

The committee has sent letters to council chief executive Bernadette Malone and Roseanna Cunningham MSP to formally request financial backing for the site.

A PKL spokesman yesterday said, “PKL has, of course, monitored the position regarding Healthworks closely and will be happy to comment on any proposal being developed by the action group.

“It must be noted however that the absence of meaningful and complete operating figures and costs coupled with insufficient clarity about future availability and costs makes any detailed assessment difficult at this time.”

She also defended the level of provision being offered at present, pointing out PKL operates Bell’s Sports Centre, Perth Leisure Pool, Rodney Fitness Centre, the Letham Centre and the George Duncan Athletics Arena.

The Dewar’s Centre and various school-based and commercial provision can also be taken into account.