Dewars Centre row: council accused of being "asleep at the wheel"

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Perth and Kinross councillors contemplating axing an ice rink hailed “The Home of Curling” stand accused of being “asleep on their watch.”Two times world champion curler and Team GB medal winning Olympic coach David Hay, chairman of Perth Curling 1988, has penned an open letter to councillors in advance of Monday’s meeting, which will decide the fate of city leisure facilities, including the Dewars Centre, Perth Leisure Pool and Bell’s Sports Centre.Perthshire farmer Hay admitted he had been “dismayed” to learn of the report which could spell the death knell for curling in the Fair City.He is urging councillors to factor in the economic benefits curling brings to the area – and examine other potential income streams to throw the ice rink a lifeline.Mr Hay said a “complete lack of drive and initiative” had proved costly in terms of attracting conferences, exhibitions and other essential non-sporting business to the ice rink since the pandemic.“It was always hard work developing and retaining this business, but it was absolutely key to the financial viability of Dewars,” he said.“What new ventures and business have been developed to move with the times, trends and public demand?

Nothing!“You have been asleep on your watch. Padel tennis, pickleball, indoor golf, simulators, soft play, gyms and fitness training, to name but a few, are all avenues which could have been explored and if they have been, we are unaware.“The closure of Dewars is not simply a facility issue,” he cautioned.“This would be the potential end of a local and national legacy, which I find totally unacceptable.“While I am aware that very few of you are involved in curling, surely it would have been prudent to have sat down with the curlers and discuss the