Lottery cash for local diving club
Saturday 28 April 2001
Dunfermline Sub Aqua Club is today celebrating a return to permanent premises following seven rootless years. Although the 40 year old club is one of Scotland's most established, since 1994 they have been without a proper base. Now, with help from £15,000 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund, the club not only have permanent headquarters but also facilities which are the envy of clubs throughout the South East of the country.
"The club already creates a lot of local interest in diving, and now with this excellent facility ... we hope to secure the club's future and place its roots firmly in Dunfermline."
To re-establish the dive club in this way has been a driving ambition for most members since they lost their last premises in the mid 90s. Thanks to the Lottery award, and their own fund raising efforts and patience, Dunfermline Sub Aqua club now have a first rate facility, which they believe will result in an upsurge of interest in the sport, attracting both lapsed and first time divers.
The clubhouse has substantial storage space for the club's extensive equipment, including compressors and boats. Courses and coaching are enhanced by the availability of a lecture room, which can also be rented out to other scuba clubs, generating extra income. Regular scuba divers will testify socialising with their club is as important as the diving, and the clubhouse is well equipped with mess and social areas.
Colin Aspinall, Secretary of the Dunfermline Sub Aqua Club, said: "This money has allowed us to get a permanent home and provide the club and indeed the whole area with an excellent sub aqua facility, which is actually a bit rare in this area. As a result, the premises are also a valuable means of earning extra money as we lease the facilities to other clubs for their courses, and use the funds to continue developing our resources.
"The club already creates a lot of local interest in diving, and now with this excellent facility, made possible by the sportscotland award and grants from Carnegie Trust and Dunfermline District and Regional Councils, we hope to secure the club's future and place its roots firmly in Dunfermline."
Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, said: "Our ability to enhance the quality and quantity of sport in Scotland is dependant on our readiness to change and our ability to meet the demands and expectations of the future. We are striving to create an environment in which sport of all kinds will more readily flourish.
"Clubs are recognised as a major vehicle for the development of sport and Dunfermline Sub Aqua Club is an example of this commitment and drive to continue offering all types and all levels of sport to the Scottish people."