However, plans to replace Perth Leisure Pool and Dewars Centre with the much-vaunted PH20 centre are on hold as construction inflation costs saw it spike from £90 million to £110m.

With increases to the construction costs required to deliver Perth & Kinross Council’s capital programme, councillors were asked to agree a refined list of projects to ensure the continued affordability of the plan as part of balancing the Capital Budget for 2023/24 to 2027/28.

The replacement for the current 41-year-old recreation centre in Blairgowrie was approved as one of the projects which should continue, with councillors agreeing the additional £9.3m needed to meet the revised construction costs.

Councillor Grant Laing, leader of Perth & Kinross Council, said: “Blairgowrie’s long-awaited new recreation centre will be a big boost to the area, bringing a modern swimming pool, fitness and training courts and more. The current facility no longer meets the needs of the Blairgowrie High pupils and the Eastern Perthshire communities it serves, and it is past time that it is replaced. I look forward to seeing work get underway in the near future.”

The approved updates to the capital programme will also see £10m invested in the first phase of work to unlock new business land to the west of Perth. The Perth Eco-Innovation Park will contribute to the diversification of the Perth and Kinross economy, providing the infrastructure to support the growth of businesses who will bring high value jobs in the clean growth sector to the area.

Councillor Laing said: “One of the key priorities for this council is to develop a resilient, stronger and greener local economy by supporting business growth, innovation and investment. The Perth Eco-Innovation Park provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lay the groundwork for that by unlocking commercial development land and providing the infrastructure to attract green, creative and digital businesses to the area.

“This is an investment for the future. At a time of financial challenge, it demonstrates our confidence in all that Perth and Kinross has to offer to new and growing businesses and will put us in a positive position when the economy begins to recover.”

In addition, £4.4m was  agreed to add repair of the Garry Viaduct, a three-span road bridge over the Garry River and Highland Railway in Highland Perthshire, to the council’s structures programme and an additional £2m for investment in bridges and structures.

£2m was also agreed to create a new site for Gypsy/Travellers within the Food and Drink Park at North Muirton, Perth.

Unfortunately, to maintain the affordability of the capital programme, it has not been possible to progress with all of the previously agreed projects. Councillors, therefore, agreed to put a pause on work to deliver PH20, the planned replacement of Perth Leisure Pool and Dewar’s Centre, with a new wet/ice leisure centre in Perth city.

The agreed revenue budget saw £150,000 allocated for a review of existing leisure and cultural assets across Perth and Kinross to assess what capital investment they may require.

Councillor Laing explained: “PH20 has been a long-term ambition for our sports and leisure trust partners, Live Active Leisure, and the council. However, in an extremely challenging financial climate we have reluctantly agreed to pause this project for now. The existing budget provision for PH20 of £90m will be retained pending further review of our capital programme. This is a case of not yet, rather than not at all.

“The council and Live Active leisure will continue to work closely together to ensure the best possible physical activity and sports services are delivered across Perth and Kinross within the resources we have available.”