New Perth and Kinross Leisure directors sought

Mar 12 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help shape the future of some of Perthshire’s most notable sport and leisure services.

Perth and Kinross Leisure (PKL), the charitable company that provides many of the district’s leisure facilities, is looking to expand its board of volunteer directors.

By the end of this year, PKL will own or operate 16 venues, including Perth Leisure Pool, Bell’s Sports Centre, Loch Leven Leisure and Blairgowrie Recreation Centre.

Company chairman Linton Scarborough explained the need to expand the board.

“At a time when the company is developing a facility vision for the next 20 years and having to balance increasing demands with an extremely difficult financial climate, the directors are keen to add to the current volunteers on the board,” he said. “While a specific area of relevant expertise is sought, of equal importance is a genuine passion for sport and a commitment to the company’s brand values of enthusiasm, flexibility, value and trust, and the ‘not for profit’ nature of the organisation.”

Chief executive Jim Moyes explained that the greater awareness of the importance of physically active lifestyles has seen the demand for the company’s services increase.

He said additions to the board from varied walks of life were being sought.

“The board meets six times per year, normally at 5pm on a Thursday with meetings typically lasting two to three hours,” said Mr Moyes.

“The level of input required from directors varies to reflect their availability and the specific company portfolio to be undertaken.”

Perth and Kinross Leisure has its origins in Bell’s Sports Centre (Perth) Limited which was incorporated in 1965.

The purpose behind the formation of the company at that time was to bring together a number of partner organisations to build and operate Bell’s Sports Centre.

Perth and Kinross Leisure’s board of directors currently comprises six independent members from a range of professional backgrounds and three local councillors.

Anyone interested in becoming a director or wanting more information about the role should contact Jim Moyes at PKL’s head office at Caledonia House, Hay Street, Perth, or by telephone on 01738 492449.