Communities' spirits are high with sportscotland funding
8 June 2006
sportscotland continues to honour its pledge to improve sports facilities for communities across Scotland with an investment of just over £600,000 from the Building for Sport Programme. This investment of £629,307 will see communities benefit in Islay, Hamilton, Saltcoats, Greenock and Glenrothes.
“Quality, accessible facilities are vital if sport is to thrive in Scotland. There needs to be the right quality and mix of facilities across the country to provide opportunities to participate in a range of sports, driving an increase in participation, as well as supporting those with aspirations to compete at a higher level.”
One of the more innovative and environmentally friendly projects receiving an award of £86,477 is the upgrade of a swimming pool on the Island of Islay. The 25m pool, which is based in a converted whisky bond building, will recover heat from the adjacent Morrison Bowmore Distillery to reduce their fuel oil costs. The Islay and Jura Community Enterprise Limited (IJCE), who run the MacTaggart Leisure Centre, also plan to install state-of-the art pool plant to reduce the amount of chemicals used, and improve water quality. Although IJCE is a stand alone organisation it is supported by way of a small revenue grant from Argyll and Bute Council to assist with running costs.
The redundant whisky bond warehouse was gifted to the local community by Morrison Bowmore Distillery based on Islay and over a period of 12 years the people of Islay and Jura raised over a £1 million to convert it into a swimming pool and leisure centre. Since it was opened in 1991, the facility has grown into an important resource for the whole community, providing a wide range of recreational, sporting and leisure activities.
It is essential for this island community to have access to quality sports facilities on their doorstep, the nearest alternative facility being a two hour ferry crossing and 60 mile drive away in Lochgilphead.
Gary Scott, General Manager of Islay & Jura Community Enterprise Limited said: “Not only will this award enable us to increase water quality and reduce our handling of chemicals and equipment but more importantly the plant upgrade will ensure the existing services and activities are retained for the local community. Reducing energy costs and protecting the environment are also very important sustainability issues for us.”
Also receiving an award of £120,000 is South Lanarkshire Council, to assist in converting an existing 7-a-side synthetic pitch in Hamilton, into an indoor training facility. By erecting a steel frame with a stretch fabric canopy, this conversion will enhance the existing facility at the Hamilton Palace Sports Ground allowing increased use of the pitch all year round. The pitch will be the only indoor football specific facility in South Lanarkshire, accessible by the public.
Additionally, North Ayrshire Council has been awarded £200,000 to construct a six-lane running track and field events area at Laighdykes near Saltcoats. The track, which will also be fully fenced and floodlit, will be sited next to a new secondary school to be built in the area. It will address an identified gap in athletics provision within North Ayrshire providing an excellent training and coaching centre for all athletes.
Other recipients of sportscotland Building for Sport awards are: Fort Matilda Playing Fields Union in Greenock who are set to receive a £200,000 award to construct a much-needed new clubhouse with changing facilities; and Fife Canoeing Activities Group in Glenrothes, will benefit from an award of £22,830, to assist in building a new boat storage facility at Lochore Meadows Country Park.
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair, sportscotland said: “Quality, accessible facilities are vital if sport is to thrive in Scotland. There needs to be the right quality and mix of facilities across the country to provide opportunities to participate in a range of sports, driving an increase in participation, as well as supporting those with aspirations to compete at a higher level.”
“ The innovative projects receiving awards today, totaling £629,317 from sportscotland’s Building for Sport Programme, is evidence of our commitment to providing communities with appropriate, quality facilities that meet local priorities.”
- Launched in March 2004, the Building for Sport Programme (BfS) is divided into two strands: Community Facilities and Training and Competition Facilities.
- Applications for the Community Facilities Programme covers the provision or upgrading of facilities for the local community.
- The Training and Competition Facilities Programme concentrates on the provision or upgrading of centres designated as a national or regional facility by the relevant national governing body for sport.
sportscotland Building for Sport Programme – May 2006 Community Facilities Strand
Islay & Jura Community Enterprise Ltd
Project Title: Swimming pool upgrade & development of a heat recovery system
Award: £86,477
Contact for Press: Gary Scott, General Manager, MacTaggart Leisure Centre
Tel: 01496 810767
To upgrade swimming pool plant, glazing, changing, shower areas and heat recovery system.
South Lanarkshire Council
Project Title: Indoor Training Facility, Palace Grounds, Hamilton
Award: £120,000
Contact for Press: Cleland Sneddon, Change & Development Manager, South Lanarkshire Council
Tel: 01698 455369
To erect a new steel frame and stretch fabric membrane cover to form an indoor training facility over an existing 7-a-side synthetic pitch. Also upgrading of the existing sand filled synthetic grass surface with a new third generation rubber filled synthetic grass surface.
North Ayrshire Council
Project Title: Laighdykes Athletics Track, Saltcoats
Award: £200,000
Contact for Press: Dr James Tulips, PPP Team Leader, North Ayrshire Council
Tel: 01294 324720
To construct a six-lane running track with polymeric surface and an in-field and field events area. The whole facility will also be fully fenced and floodlit.
Fort Matilda Playing Fields Union (Greenock)
Project Title: New clubhouse
Award: £200,000
Contact for Press: Charles Shaw, Chairman, Clubhouse Development Committee, Fort Matilda Playing Fields Union
Tel: 07950 027926
To provide new clubhouse comprising of six changing rooms, physio room, referees and shower facility in addition to communal areas, committee rooms, kitchen and specific junior members area.
Fife Canoeing Activities Group – FCAG (Glenrothes)
Project Title: FCAG Boat Storage Facility – Lochore Meadows Country Park
Award: £22,830
Contact for Press: Martin Kingham, Chairperson, Fife Canoeing Activities Group
Tel: 01334 412052
To provide a steel framed boat store with plastic coated corrugated steel shell with ramp, power, racks for boats and equipment and space for trailer.
5 awards totalling £629,307