Plans for the development of a regional network of multi-sport facilities across Scotland took another step forward this week when sportscotland issued the full briefing pack, detailing the application process to access money from the Scottish Executive and the Lottery Sports Fund to develop these facilities. This will be supported by a series of roadshows 1-3 October 2003, to give interested parties the opportunity to discuss the project requirements in detail.

The aim is to address major facility needs for priority sports by providing a network of quality facilities for training and, where appropriate competition. The facilities will serve the geographical areas covered by the Area Institute of Sport, namely; Central, East of Scotland, Grampian, Highland, Tayside & Fife and West of Scotland and the main focus will be on the provision of:

• regional indoor training facilities for athletics, football and rugby
• indoor sports arena with a 200 metre athletics track and facilities for other sports
• two versatile municipal stadia.

The upgrading/provision of new national facilities for some key sports will also be considered. This will include addressing the needs of swimming, curling and cycling.

In March 2003, The Scottish Executive identified £28.8m of funding, which includes £16m previously set aside for the Euro 2008 bid, for the development of regional and national sports facilities which will be used to kick start the project. In addition, sportscotland is considering a further £21m, towards the delivery of the key facilities outlined. Notional allocations of these monies have been made across the facility requirements listed and it is anticipated that no more than 30-40% of the total cost of any project will be met from central resources.

Commenting on the issue of the Briefing Pack, Frank McAveety, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport said “We need top quality facilities if we are to produce top quality athletes who can compete successfully for Scotland on the world stage. Indoor training facilities especially for athletics, football and rugby are particularly important. We also want to ensure that new facilities are available for community use as well as helping our top and aspiring athletes. We have now made the next main step towards delivering our ambitious plans to put in place a regional network of state of the art multi sport training facilities. I now hope potential partners will come together and work up the best possible projects that will see our plans come to fruition.”

Fundamental to the success of all projects is the need for a partnership approach between a range of key organisations in each region, including local authorities, governing bodies of sport, higher and further education, clubs, voluntary and commercial organisations. Coupled with this will be the need for community access and the sustainability of facilities in the long term.

Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland said: “Significant investment is required in Scotland’s national and regional sports facilities if we are to develop future successful sporting generations, supporting the pathways from participation to excellence. To deliver the key objectives of our national strategy for sport, Sport 21, investment into facility development is required and through the National and Regional Sports Facilities Strategy we are now ready to deliver an exciting and ambitious programme that can begin to provide Scotland’s future sporting infrastructure.

“ This is an exciting challenge for all stakeholders in Scottish sport and a partnership approach is the only way we can turn our ambitions into reality. We look forward to working closely with partners to develop a suite of multi-sports facilities which will best meet national, regional and local requirements.”

The briefing pack intends to provide a level of information that will assist potential partners to put together Stage One proposals for national and regional facilities and apply for public funding to assist their development. Throughout the process sportscotland and consultants PMP, who have been appointed to provide specialist input and guidance, will work closely with potential applicants to provide support, guidance and additional information where required.

In addition to the provision of sports facilities, the future location of sportscotland’s headquarters is being investigated. There is an opportunity to co-locate sportscotland’s HQ within a major facility development in the central belt but the stand-alone option will also be considered. sportscotland will also begin to explore alternative arrangements for the future management and ownership of its three national centres.

Stage one applications should be submitted to sportscotland by 30 January 2004. Assessment of these applications and negotiations with potential partners will take place between January and April 2004, when selected applicants will be invited to submit second stage applications.

• The roadshows will take place as follows:
  • Tayside & Fife - Dundee Ice Arena, Dundee, 1 October 0930 – 1130
  • Grampian - Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, 1 October 1400 – 1600
  • Highland - Caledonian Stadium, Inverness, 2 October 0930 – 1130
  • Central - Macrobert Centre, University of Stirling, 2 October 1430 – 1630
  • West of Scotland - Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, 3 October 1000 – 1200
  • East of Scotland - Peffermill Sports Ground, University of Edinburgh, 3 October 1430 – 1630.
• The briefing pack, which is available on the sportscotland website (www.sportscotland.org.uk), sets out the following information: background to the facility strategy; overview of facility requirements; sportscotland HQ requirements; proposed facilities including outline specifications and indicative costs; procurement process and timescales; an indication of the level of support available from central sources and potential funding options; assessment criteria; model business plans.
• In 2002, the Scottish Executive and sportscotland commissioned PMP Consultancy to carry out a review of Scotland’s sports facilities as part of the development of the national facilities strategy as well as looking at the option of relocating the sportscotland HQ. During this process we consulted widely with key governing bodies and local authorities.
• A steering group has been set up to oversee the implementation of the process and a national facilities forum has been established to inform, guide and provide feedback.