£1.2 Million Christmas cash boost for sports facilities
Thursday 14 December
As 2006 draws to a close sportscotland is delighted to announce a further £1.275 million investment to improve sports facilities for three communities across Scotland, taking this year’s total investment in facilities to over £15.6 million.
In the latest round of awards £800,000 goes to Bathgate Sports Centre to assist in the building of a new swimming pool, new outdoor changing accommodation and the upgrading of grass football pitches at the Balbardie Park Sports Centre.
This new facility provides a 25 metre main pool and an additional teaching pool as well as steam and sauna rooms, replacing the existing Bathgate swimming pool.
The new outdoor changing accomodation will be able to cater up to eight teams using the upgraded grass football pitches as well as a variety of other field sports.
Patricia Ferguson MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport said: "Having facilities that are fit for purpose can help realise our sporting ambitions.
“The Executive – through sportscotland – is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to sport through a diverse range of opportunities.
“By providing communities with modern facilities of a high standard these projects will go a long way to helping us achieve that.”
Councillor John McGinty, Convener of West Lothian Council's Children's Services and Lifelong Learning Committee, commented: "We are delighted to have received confirmation of this £800,000 award from sportscotland.
"When it is completed the total investment in the new 25 metre pool, a teaching pool and changing facilities - which will also be used for outdoor activities - will be more than £6 million. The project, which is a partnership between West Lothian Council, sportscotland and West Lothian Leisure, will provide a centre of excellence for swimming and outdoor activities.
"The new swimming pool, and the proposed new council building to replace Lindsay House are examples of our continued investment in Bathgate."
Other projects receiving funding from sportscotland are the Glasgow Ski and Snowboard Centre Club and Doon Academy.
The investment of £200,000 in Glasgow Ski and Snowboard Centre and Club, will assist in the provision of a new ski surface, with floodlighting for freestyle users with a jump, half pipe and rails. As part of this improvement a new tow will be installed to allow access to disabled users.
Oscar Wild from the Glasgow Ski and Snowboard Centre Club said: “The news that Glasgow Ski & Snowboard Centre Club has been awarded £200,000 from sportscotland towards our redevelopment is a great boost to both our club and for winter sports in Scotland. The grant will allow us to replace our lift on the main slope at the club providing access to the slopes for the majority of disabled snowsports users. It will also give us a new slope dedicated to freeride snowsports enthusiasts.”
Doon Academy in Dalmellington, East Ayrshire receives £275,290 towards the refurbishment and upgrade of their swimming pool.
Improvements to the pool include new changing facilities as well as the construction of a new fitness suite and dance studio.
John McCarney, Head of Schools Support said: "We are delighted that the upgrade of the swimming pool will provide improved facilities for the young people and community of the Doon Valley. This will be particularly beneficial to the school as it will support our drive for improved health and fitness in young people".
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair, sportscotland said: “Quality, accessible facilities are vital if sport is to thrive in Scotland. There needs to be a correct balance of facilities throughout the country to provide opportunities to experience a range of sports, driving an increase in participation, as well as supporting those with aspirations of competing at a higher level.
“These projects receiving investment today, totalling £1,275,290 from sportscotland’s Building for Sport programme, demonstrates our commitment to improving facilities for communities in West Lothian, Glasgow and East Ayrshire”.
From the 1 January 2006 until 31 December 2006 sportscotland has invested £15.6 million in sports facilities. £10 million is from the Scottish Executive National Regional Sports Facilities strategy and £5.6 million from the sportscotland Building for Sport programme
Bathgate Sports Centre
Project Title: New swimming pool and outdoor pitch changing
Award: £800,000 from the sportscotland Building for Sport Fund
Contact for media: Elaine Henderson
Tel: 01506 777127
To construct new pool, new outdoor changing facilities and upgrading of grass pitches.
Glasgow Ski and Snowboard Centre Club
Project Title: The Way Forward – 21st Century Facilities for Snowsports
Award: £200,000 from the sportscotland Building for Sport Lottery Fund
Contact for media: Oscar Wild
Tel: 0141 427 4991
Provision of new ski surface with floodlighting, jump, half pipe, rails and tow to allow disabled access.
Doon Academy
Project Title: Pool Refurbishment and Facility Upgrade
Award: £275,290 from the sportscotland Building for Sport Lottery Fund
Contact for media: David Morgan, East Ayrshire Council
Tel: 01563 576 013