Tuesday 11 November 2008
Sailors in Largs will soon be enjoying enhanced facilities at the Scottish Sailing Institute thanks to a £50,000 investment by sportscotland.
The investment will enable the safe launch and recovery of boats, especially in adverse weather conditions, by assisting with the creation of a new 50m slipway to Pencil Beach, thus allowing multiple users to access the waters quickly and safely. There will also be the removal of rock hazards, a general beach debris clean-up and the provision of anchored bouyage within Pencil Bay.
The new facilities will increase the capacity of the Institute enabling it to cater for the Royal Yachting Association’s large National and International Dinghy Championship fleets. Over the years the Institute has developed the reputation as Scotland’s leading venue for hosting regattas and championships events as well as an excellent training and coaching facility and this will be strengthened with the new facilities being built.
David Kent, Sailing Development Manager, Scottish Sailing Institute said: “The Scottish Sailing Institute works hard to bring world class sailing events to Scotland and sportscotland’s investment in this new facility will help make Largs an even more attractive venue for UK and international sailors. The enhanced facilities will provide fast, safe and easy access for large dinghy fleets to the racing areas in and around the Largs Channel.”
Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland said: “sportscotland is delighted to provide this investment of £50,000 to the Scottish Sailing Institute to upgrade their facilities. This investment demonstrates our commitment to helping communities provide quality, accessible facilities that meet their local priorities. This is vital if sport is to thrive across Scotland.
“The new facilities will allow all sailors improved and safer access to the excellent sailing waters on the Firth of Clyde as well as reaffirming the Institute’s position as Scotland’s leading venue for hosting regattas and events.”
• Launched in March 2004, the Building for Sport Programme (BfS) is divided into two strands: Community Facilities and Training and Competition Facilities.
• Applications for the Community Facilities Programme covers the provision or upgrading of facilities for the local community.
• The Training and Competition Facilities Programme concentrates on the provision or upgrading of centres designated as a national or regional facility by the relevant national governing body for sport.
sportscotland Building for Sport Programme – November 2008
Community Facilities Strand
Applicant: Scottish Sailing Institute
Project Title: Provision of beach amenity and general recreation facility
Award: £50,000
Contact for Press: David Kent, Sailing Development Manager, Scottish Sailing Institute
Tel: 01475 670011
Removal of rock hazards and general beach debris cleanup; provision of anchored buoyage; creation of a protected 50m wide access ramp reclaiming existing beach; creation of a recreational area on reclaimed ground.