Perth and Kinross Council has approved the granting of a lease for the non-café parts of the South Inch Pavilion to Fair City Juniors Football Club (FCJFC).
The lease will enable FCJFC to convert the vacant central part of the Pavilion into modern changing facilities for sports teams.
This decision, made by the Perth Common Good Fund Committee, will enhance local sports facilities and support community wellbeing.
The lease will run for 10 years at a peppercorn rent of £1 per annum a year. FCJFC will be responsible for the costs of the changing rooms conversion, as well as maintenance and running costs.
The Pavilion, a common good asset managed by the Council's Community Greenspace Service, has a rich history dating back to the 1930s. The northern part of the Pavilion has been operating as a café since 2016, while the central part has remained vacant following the closure of public toilets. The southern part has been used informally by FCJFC for changing purposes.
The refurbished facilities will include separate changing areas for home and away teams, boys and girls, and match officials, addressing requirements for privacy and functionality.
The club is currently fundraising to do the work required over the coming months and will manage their area once complete. The café will remain as it is and be run separately from the club area.
A public consultation carried out in August 2024 received overwhelming support for the proposal, with 90% of respondents expressing their approval. It is hoped the new facilities will be available for use by the start of 2025 following the completion of the conversion works.
The approval of the lease aligns with the Council's corporate priorities which include promoting physical and mental wellbeing and fostering community partnerships.
Perth Common Good Fund Convener, Councillor Andrew Parrott, said: "This lease agreement represents a significant investment in our community's youth and sports infrastructure by Fair City Juniors. The plans will provide much-improved, modern facilities for footballers who use the South Inch for matches. We are excited to see the positive impact these new facilities will have on local football teams and the broader community.
"The agreement will also help to secure the future of a building with significant heritage to Perth, which is to be welcomed. The nominal rent to be charged for use of the facilities recognises the considerable investment being made by FCJFC in bringing the pavilion up to a standard where it complies with current regulations.
"This is a great example of what can be achieved when the Council works closely with community organisations to achieve our shared ambitions."
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