AN EX-PREMIERSHIP goalkeeper is set to save an historic building that faced possible demolition after lying empty for years.
Ex St Johnstone goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert has been named the preferred buyer of the iconic Rodney Pavillion in Perth – rescuing the building as a health and wellbeing facility after council bosses markted as having “potential for redevelopment”, sparking fears it could be levelled.
Kevin Cuthbert Personal Training (KCPT) is set to move into the Dundee Road premises – set in the stunning Rodney Gardens near Perth city centre – later in the year.
The building had been in use as a fitness centre for over 90 years – first for the use of General Accident staff before becoming a public facility – before closing its doors for good in 2022.
But now former Saints shot stopper Kevin has ensured the building will be retained for its original purpose.
Five bids were received by Perth and Kinross Council for the property, with KCPT being selected by the PKC Property sub-committee on the recommendation of council officers.
KCPT currently operates from an industrial unit in Perth’s Ladeside Business Centre.
But with almost 400 members on the books – a five fold increase since the business first opened in 2020 – that building is no longer fit for purpose.
Now the business will move over to Rodney Pavillion after works are carried out to bring it up to scratch.
Kevin, 41, who also turned out for Greenock Morton, Ayr United, Hamilton and Raith Rovers during his football career, said the purchase would allow his thriving business to expand further and offer additional services – while retaining the building in its original form.
He added: “Rodney Pavillion is an important building in Perth – it has been associated with health and fitness since it was built and is a beautiful place to work out looking out over amazing gardens to the front.
“We wanted to make sure it stays in its original form and secure the building’s future.
“Our business has grown massively since we first opened in 2020 – we have almost 400 members regularly attending our sessions and a thriving community that supports our members’ physical and mental health.
“Taking Rodney on will only help that develop and we are very excited to get started at our new home.”
He added: “As a business we recognise the importance to the comunity of keeping Rodney as a gym facility and we will absolutely make sure that happens.
“Our intention is to further enhance our own service, allowing us to serve the community as best we acn.
“We recognise there are futher areas and programs that we will now be able to facilitate in this space and hope to do so very quickly.
“We are fully respectful of the history and heritage of the building, and strive to continue to enhance the health and wellbeing of the people of Perth.
“I’d personally like to thank all of my team and our fantastic gym community. Without every single one of them this wouldn’t be possible.”
