New funding programme launched by sportscotland Lottery Fund

Tuesday 5 October 1999

Making sport more accessible to more people is the focus of sportscotland’s new Lottery programme, Sports Facilities, which is launched today.

Application forms are now available for the programme, which will focus on assisting projects to improve schools’ sports facilities to make them more accessible by the community.

’Improving and enhancing existing facilities will help to bring communities and schools closer together,...'

Projects such as the provision of reception areas and upgrading of changing accommodation at schools will be eligible for funding.  Enlarging or enhancing club facilities to make them accessible to local school pupils will also be eligible for funding under the programme.

The Sports Facilities Programme will also consider:

• local sports facilities, such as sports halls and pitches;
• national and regional sports facilities;
• safety at sports grounds projects.

Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, said:  ’Improving and enhancing existing facilities will help to bring communities and schools closer together, will build links between schools and local sports clubs and will also help to encourage more people to take up sport.

 ’We are now able to be more strategic about where Lottery funds are directed and we are determined to use the money to make sport more accessible to more people.  That is why under the new programme, we will give priority to projects located in areas of special need (both rural and urban).  We will also consider higher rates of award for these areas.’

sportscotland will continue to invest in areas and programmes such as talented athletes, coaching, major events, school sport co-ordinators, Awards for All and talent identification and development.

Additional Information:

Application forms are available from
sportscotland Lottery Fund,
Caledonia House,
South Gyle, Edinburgh,
EH12 9DQ,

sportscotland Lottery Fund’s income has been reduced by approximately £5–£6 million per year following the introduction of the sixth good cause, the New Opportunities Fund.

A new two-stage application process has been introduced to let applicants know within two weeks whether or not they are likely to get funding.