A Perth community centre is preparing to unveil a string of major upgrades – with or without an expected £1 million from the Scottish Government.
Letham4All, operators of the Letham Centre, will find out next month if they have been lucky second time round in their bid for the grant from the Scottish Regeneration Fund.
But having already been awarded money this year from Perth and Kinross Council, the group is preparing to install a community kitchen, soft play area and new gym.
The group previously lost out on funding planned for a major refit but members hope if they are successful in the Holyrood grants, as well as other applications to the Gannochy Trust and National Lottery, the revamp can be put back on the table.
Despite missing out on an £80,000 Investing In Communities grant from the Scottish Government earlier this year, the board will hear next month whether they have been successful in their biggest application, submitted by the council on behalf of the charity.
The centre was formerly run by Live Active Leisure and last year the council signed off on a £3m revamp including and extension and NHS treatment room but the local authority slashed the budget and plans were put on hold.
Last year, the group applied for funds to top up their reduced council funding, but were unable to get beyond the first hurdle.
This year, Letham4All have made it to a further round in the application process, and will find out if the funding, which would go a long way towards securing rudimentary healthcare services at the Tweedsmuir Road centre, has been approved imminently.
Even if the bid is unsuccessful, board member Susie Burt said hopes will be high for significant upgrades and other funding options are being considered.
She said: “We’re already open every day and employ 10 part time staff members.
“This money would be a miracle, but we’re still looking at the Gannochy Trust and National Lottery too.”
The group has tried to keep gym membership fees low and are supporting people on the breadline through a community kitchen and free wifi.
They also hope to eventually buy the building, which they lease from the council, through a community asset transfer.
Councillor John Rebbeck, a Letham4All trustee, is keen to see more services in the area.
He said: “There is no GP surgery in Letham.
“I would love to see some health services available here and we are in discussions about having a mental health project based here soon.
“There is a real buzz about the place and we want it to be more than a community centre.”
