Perth Leisure Pool is the main indoor public leisure and recreation centre in the city of Perth, Scotland,[1] one of the most popular visitor attractions in Scotland[2] and a major tourist attraction,[3][4] which in 2006 was noted for receiving more than 700,000 visitors a year.[5]
It was designed in 1984 after an architectural contest run by the RIAS and Perth Council which was won by architects FaulknerBrowns.[6][7] Councillor John L. Wilson presided over the development of the Perth Leisure Pool[8] and it was opened by The Princess Royal on 29 July 1988.
The complex includes 5 swimming pools with flumes, bubble beds and other water features;[9] a gym,[10] health spa, cafe, creche and outdoor children's play area. The combination of leisure and swimming facilities has proved outstandingly successful[11] and, in twenty years, it has had over ten million visitors.[12] The separate children's lagoon varies in depth between 1 and 2+1⁄2 feet (0.30 and 0.76 m). The small slide for this pool provides suitably scaled-down thrills for children and is very popular.[11]
It has been well maintained since opening, with refurbishments taking place every few years. However, in August 2002,[13] there was an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis which caused gastrointestinal illness for 74 people.[14] This resulted in the closure of the pool while the matter was investigated.[15] Numerous improvements to the cleaning and water treatment processes were recommended by the Outbreak Control Team and these were made prior to the reopening of the centre.[3][16]