Angus and Perth and Kinross Councils have thrown their backing behind Dundee’s bid to host the new National Performance Centre for Sport.
The local authority leaders yesterday signed a joint letter to Dundee City Council’s leader Ken Guild, supporting the city’s efforts.
Ian Miller, of Perth and Kinross Council, and Iain Gaul, Angus, hope their regions will also reap the benefits if Dundee is successful.
The letter states: “The Dundee bid is an ambitious vision for delivering the highest-quality facilities for Scotland’s athletes competing on the international stage.
“Alongside, there is a commitment to create a resource which will inspire and provide wider benefits to people and communities across Tayside through effective collaboration with the NHS, the education sector and other key partners.
“These are aspirations which will have reach and impact well beyond Dundee City, and in which we must and should all have a stake.”
Dundee has been shortlisted with Stirling and Edinburgh to house the centre, with the final decision to be made this summer.
Perth’s own bid was shot down in the earlier stages but Mr Miller said he is now fully behind the only remaining Tayside contender.
“This is a good example of three Tayside local authorities working together for the good of communities across the area,” he added.
“While I was very disappointed to learn that Perth’s own bid had not been selected for the next stage, I do recognise the strength of the bid from Dundee City and the many benefits its location there would bring to residents of all three councils in Tayside.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attract a range of sporting facilities to our area and it’s important that we all work together to ensure its benefits are realised for Tayside.”
Mr Gaul added: “From an Angus perspective, we think it makes sense to have something of national standing in this part of the world.
“If you look at the environment here, we think we’ve a great chance. We’ve low crime figures, relatively low traffic volume and clean air.”
Mr Guild welcomed the support of his neighbouring councils.
“It’s tremendous,” he said. “The whole bid right from the very start has been based on a partnership. We have partners from across the city, the universities, the college, the two football teams and NHS Tayside.
“Dundee has so much to offer. It will mean a great deal for the city, it would put us very much on the sporting map.”
The bid also includes plans for a hotel, something Mr Guild hopes will boost tourism to the city and surrounding areas.