Loch Earn club launches new facility

Friday 23 June 2000

Members of Loch Earn Sailing Club are one step closer this weekend to achieving their aim of being recognised as a Royal Yachting Association training centre.

"We now have a sailing club with the facilities that people today expect..."

For this weekend sees the opening of the club’s brand new clubhouse and rescue boat store, made possible with the help of a sportscotland Lottery Fund award of over £55,000.

Of the club’s 180 current members a large proportion are under 16 and the award will enable it to continue its tradition of coaching and supporting those taking part in sailing at junior level.   Loch Earn Sailing Club is the venue for many competitive events including two annual regattas, attracting competitors from all over Scotland and England, and the annual Scottish Schools Regatta sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland.  The new facilities will provide better quality changing and locker provision for these and other events.

The previous changing accommodation was part of a temporary building that had outlived its shelf life by over 20 years.  Costing £120,000, the new, modern facilities will help the club to develop and attract new members.  Full disabled access will be provided for as well as space for rescue boats to be stored during winter.

Allan Alstead, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said:  "Sailing is one of the growing range of outdoor sports that are becoming so popular in Scotland and which attract so many tourists to our shores each year.

"Better quality facilities will help to ensure that Clubs can cater for all types of participants, both beginners and experienced, and provide a more comfortable environment in which to participate in sport."

Bobby Salmond, Commodore of Loch Earn Sailing Club, said:  "This new development is the most positive thing to happen to the Club in 30 years.  We now have a sailing club with the facilities that people today expect, as well as a wonderful safe location for families, and I expect the Club membership levels to increase significantly in the coming years."

• The opening of Loch Earn Sailing Club will take place on Saturday 24 June 2000, at 1200 for 1230 hours.  The opening ceremony will be performed by the Right Hon Baroness Willoughby de Eresby, the Hon Commodore of the Club.
• Since 1995, sportscotland Lottery Fund has awarded over £1.7m to sailing in Scotland, including £837,000 to the Scottish Sailing Institute at Largs Sailing Club £336,000 for a new public launching facility recently opened at Loch Lomond, Scotland’s first National Park.
• In total, over £85m has been awarded to help improve sports facilities across Scotland