Perth and Kinross Council has officially opened the £36 million Blairgowrie Recreation Centre – Scotland’s first Passivhaus leisure development.

Designed by architects Holmes Miller, which specialises in carbon neutral development, the leisure centre sets a new benchmark for sustainable sports and leisure buildings in Scotland. The UK currently has only one other leisure centre built to Passivhaus standards: St Sidwell’s Point in Exeter, Devon.

Blairgowrie replaces an outdated 1980s facility, offering a six-lane, 25-metre, competition-standard swimming pool with a viewing gallery, a fitness suite, a four-court sports hall, a two-court gymnasium, a dance studio and an external all-weather sports pitch. It will be used by both Blairgowrie High School and the local community.

Energy consumption will be reduced by 80 per cent compared to a typical leisure centre. It has been constructed from cross laminated timber and glulam, which provide strong thermal and acoustic insulation for a comfortable, healthy, indoor climate. Zoned heating, ventilation and air conditioning allow for temperature control and energy savings when spaces are not in use.

The design means that even the swimming pool will enjoy constant temperatures with draughts eliminated. A ventilation system will adjust humidity levels for the comfort of swimmers and spectators.

The centre meets Sport England, Sport Scotland and Accessible Sports Facilities guidance. It is fully wheelchair-friendly, includes two Changing Places toilets and fully accessible changing rooms.

Yida Zhou, project architect at Holmes Miller, said: "This project marks a significant milestone not only for Perth and Kinross Council, but for Scotland. As the first of its kind in the country, it is a testament to what can be achieved when good design and sustainability are combined.

“With this being a landmark building in the area, we understood its cultural significance and wanted to design a space that would pay homage to the local community, enhance the experience and learning of students, and meet the council’s ambitious sustainability targets.

“We hope Blairgowrie Recreation Centre will inspire more leisure centres in Scotland to be designed with Passivhaus in mind, creating inclusive, sustainable spaces where communities can thrive.”

Delivered through Hub East Central Scotland, the centre was built by BAM Construction, with Baker Hicks acting as civil and structural engineer and Rybka providing the building services.