Lossiemouth Lottery award launches improved facility
Wednesday 20 June 2001
Lossiemouth High School and Community Centre are celebrating the opening of its new teaching and recreation facilities today, performed by Councillor Sandy Keith, Chair of the Educational Resources Committee.
"It has met a critical need for a new indoor sports hall for the school..."
Made possible by an award of £437,577 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund, the £1.3 million project boasts a new multi-purpose hall which has been built to improve the delivery of PE and offer wider opportunities for sports such as: badminton, gymnastics, martial arts and short tennis as well as music and arts.
Other improvements include four new guidance offices, a major upgrade of the swimming pool changing facilities, refurbishment of the school quadrangle and a new community reception.
Built in 1975, the complex was linked with the school in 1978. The complex offered sports such as badminton, swimming, football, rugby, hockey, baseball and athletics. However, there were a number of drawbacks, such as the building split on two levels, lack of disability access, poor changing rooms and community access withdrawn during exam periods, which encouraged Moray Council to reassess the facility.
The proposal to build a major housing development to accommodate an expansion of the RAF base in Lossiemouth in 1997 meant an increase of population to the local area and the necessity to provide a high quality sports complex for the community.
Today these plans have become a reality and the authority anticipates that with enhanced community access to the school facilities, relocation of the school reception, the provision of a new lift to the first floor, improved car parking and extended opening hours people of all abilities will be encouraged to come and use the new facility.
Councillor Sandy Keith, Chair of the Educational Resources Committee, said: “This project will bring major benefits for both the school and the local community. It has met a critical need for a new indoor sports hall for the school and provided much improved access to the whole range of sports and recreational facilities for local people. A project of this size would not have been possible without the support of the sportscotland Lottery fund.”
Ian Robson, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “ The completion of the Lossiemouth project will provide the local community with a much needed quality facility. The benefits of this complex will be felt by the pupils of the school and the public who will now be able to participate in a wide range of sports, encouraging people in Scotland to have a more active and healthier life style.”
- The opening ceremony will take place at Lossiemouth High School and community Centre, Moray at 3.00 pm on Thursday 21 June 2001.
- Councillor Sandy Keith will perform the opening ceremony by unveiling a plaque.
- Ruth Evans, Project Manager, will represent sportscotland.
- Other contributors towards the project are:
- Covesey Development, £400,000
- Lossiemouth Area Management Committee, £10,000
- Lossiemouth High School.