Built in 1968, it stands at the western edge of the city's North Inch park, adjacent to Balhousie Castle.

[5][1] In the early 1960s, Perth's then-lord provost Dr Robert Ritchie discussed plans for a sports facility in the city.

[8] In October 2023, the building was flooded after Perth and Kinross Council failed to close the River Tay floodgates in time after heavy rainfall.

The future of Perth Leisure Pool and the Dewar's Centre are also in doubt, due to their losing money annually.

In 2021, Live Active Leisure announced plans to invest £750,000 to build a new fitness gym and exercise studio at the centre.

Perthshire RFC used the pavilion's changing rooms, although their home field is officially the North Inch.