DESIGN, PLANNING & CONSTRUCTION
The Aberfeldy Sports Club planning application was approved by Perth & Kinross Council on 8th September 2023.
Background
The concept of a mixed-use clubhouse was the brainchild of the Aberfeldy Rugby Football Club (ARFC) and the Aberfeldy Golf Club (AGC) both of which found themselves in 2020 with a need for modern clubhouse facilities.
On contacting other local sports clubs, it became clear that there was a much wider need for fully serviced clubhouse facilities across the sporting (and non -sporting) community; there being no central hub or facility to service the demand for changing rooms, training rooms, post activity bar /catering facilities, and associated events.
Formal support for the development of a new community clubhouse on the site of the out-dated AGC clubhouse was received from over 40 sports clubs, associations and local organisations and by representatives of both local and national government. A local initiative, Aberfeldy Healthiest Town, promoted by GPs and others, described the proposed development as pivotal to furthering their aims of improving community health and well-being.
To take the project forward, The Aberfeldy Sports Club (TASC) was established as a Scottish Charitable Institution in December 2020.
Design, planning and construction
The design, by Jon Frulani Architect Ltd., and planning application, were approved by Perth and Kinros Council on 8th September 2023 following retrospective application of legislation involving expensive design changes and consequential delays.
After review of tenders, Alpha Construction Ltd was appointed contractor for construction of the new building. As with the protracted planning approval process, the trustees experienced various difficulties and setbacks, which were overcome with the patient support of the funders and contractors.
The final construction cost, £1.6million was almost twice the original estimate mainly due to post-Covid cost inflation and the prescribed design changes.
Opening ceremony 2026
Following completion of construction, an experienced third-party operator was licensed to run the clubhouse bar/restaurant and after a brief ‘soft ‘opening, the clubhouse was formally opened on 28th March 2026 by local MSP and First Minister, John Swinney who congratulated the trustees and all who had supported their efforts over the five-year process.
In attendance were representatives of funders, architects, builders, club members and sporting organisations – notably SRU officials who for the occasion brought with them the Calcutta Cup.
Potential users nearby
- Aberfeldy Golf Club
- Aberfeldy Rugby Football Club
- Aberfeldy Football Club
- Aberfeldy Cricket Club
- Aberfeldy Tennnis Club
- Community Putting Green
- Visitors Angling Beat
- Park Run Track
- Feldyroo Health & Fitness trail
