A joint letter is to be sent to the Perth and Kinross Council leader and fellow councillors urging them to help suspend the looming gym transformation at Bell’s Sports Centre.
The seven-page letter - signed by former Perth and District Badminton Association president Ian Brown, Perth District Volleyball organiser David Munro and secretary of Perth and Kinross Volleyball Ian Innes - sets out “arguments which we feel have been established which show that the proposal is a major mistake”, suggesting “sensible alternatives”.
The letter implores Live Active Leisure’s (LAL) plans be halted until after the May council elections to allow the then administration to “take a fresh look” at the plans.
It also suggests an independent person be appointed to investigate the finances of LAL and consider what other cost-saving measures could be adopted.
The move comes ahead of next week’s full council meeting, where it is hoped the £750,000 Bell’s Sports Centre upgrade plans will be discussed.
The revamp includes the installation of three fitness studios and the much-criticised transformation of the Coaching Hall into a 100-station gym, with a planned opening date of May 22.
LAL appointed Perth -based contractor One Call and Taylor and Fraser to complete the project, which was first announced in November.
Moves to halt the maligned transformation have been in motion ever since.
David Munro set up a petition at the start of January to garner support against the revamp, which currently has just over 2600 signatures.
A number of representatives from local volleyball, netball and hockey clubs also attended a Perth and Kinross Sports Council meet in December to voice their concerns over the plans.
They say the Coaching Hall’s existing sprung wooden floor - which will be torn out - provides a “vital” surface for people playing sports such as volleyball, basketball, badminton and netball.
Mr Munro added that players forced to train and compete in the main arena would bring an increased injury risk, with added fears the change would see the city lose out on hosting major competitions, claiming teams will not want to play on a harder surface.
The letter echoes these concerns once more and claims that users, clubs, the public and Perth and Kinross Sports Council were not effectively consulted on the proposals.
It also states that those in opposition are “acting in the interests of sport” and “appreciate what the council and LAL (and its predecessors) have done and do in the interests of sport in Perth and Kinross.”
It concludes: “We repeat that our motivation is, and has been, to rectify what we and many others consider to be a very bad decision for sport in Perth and Kinross without any satisfactory explanation.
“We hope that in recognition of that you are able to look at the issues again in the spirit of the Nolan Principles.”
LAL chairperson David Maclehose previously said the investment in Bell’s Sports Centre is “a positive response” to recent challenges brought on by the pandemic.
Mr Maclehose also moved to try and reassure residents that LAL’s 55-year legacy of providing sporting opportunities for everyone in the community will “continue to thrive”,
He added: “There has been much in the way of speculation around the Bell’s upgrade and I would like to clarify that the iconic main arena will continue to provide 17 sports courts which are available to book for both clubs and casual users, for a range of activities including football, hockey, volleyball, badminton, netball, kids’ gymnastics and more.
“Furthermore, these courts all benefit from a Gransprung floor, which is an elastic, sprung sports floor that is certified as impact energy absorbing.
“This energy absorbing feature aids athletes as the play and is perfect for every type of activity from recreational to performance level.
“And, of course, the flexibility of this space will continue to showcase local, national and international sporting events and family fun activities with capacity for up to 1000-spectator seating.
“And not forgetting the three glass- backed squash courts which have recently benefited from investment in new flooring and which are now ready for action after the challenges of the last couple of years.”
