Perth’s “exciting and ambitious” bid to attract a multi-million pound sports hub to the city could take a massive leap forward within weeks.
Scotland’s newest city made a late pitch for the planned National Performance Centre for Sports (NPCS) last month.
The centre will focus on football, but will offer a range of other training facilities in a bid to attract Scotland’s elite athletes. The Scottish Government will put up £25 million of the cost and wants it completed by 2016.
Senior Perth and Kinross councillors came together with landowner Bob Reid and St Johnstone’s Geoff Brown to examine the proposed 30-acre site at Ruthvenfield.
The submission that has been delivered to Sportscotland by the council is linked to ambitions for Perth’s growth through planned investment in roads, housing, business land and a new secondary school to the north-west of the city.
The NPCS would include leading facilities for football, athletics, basketball and other sports and a hotel is also planned.
Bids that have made it through to the second round of selection are expected to be announced before the end of the month.
Dundee City Council and Stirling Council have also submitted plans, while a combined effort between Midlothian Council and Buccleuch Property has also been tendered.
Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Ian Miller said: “The NPCS represents a unique and inspirational asset for Scotland and its athletes.
“It’s an exciting prospect. Perth is Scotland’s newest city, located in the heart of the country. The Fair City is an ambitious and forward-looking place, and we are the perfect location for the NPCS.
“I am delighted that there is cross-party support for the bid, and that local landowners and the sporting community are also on board.
“We are very hopeful that Perth’s bid will make it through to the second stage of the selection process, and ultimately be successful.”
The bid has attracted widespread support on the council.
Councillor Mac Roberts, Conservative group leader, said: “We are within 90 minutes of 90% of Scotland’s population, which is a key strength in our bid. Sports people from across Scotland will be able to reach the Perth NPCS quickly and easily.”
Dundee began its campaign for the centre in 2011, with Camperdown Country Park identified as its ideal site for a bid that has brought together the local council, football clubs, universities and colleges.
Stirling Council said its proposal would complement the booming sports village at its university campus.
But Perth and Kinross Council’s Liberal Democrat group leader, Councillor Peter Barrett, is confident the Fair City bid is a match for any of them.
He said: “There is united support for this exciting project from all parties on the council.”
Labour leader Councillor Archie MacLellan said: “This proposal to bring the NPSC here is ambitious for Perth, and exciting for all people across Perth and Kinross.”
St Johnstone owner Geoff Brown added: “We have a great deal of sporting talent within Perth and Kinross. Bringing the NCPS to Perth would provide high class facilities that would help develop and inspire our athletes of the future.”