sportscotland on the move

Monday 30 March 2009

Today, sportscotland opened the doors of its new interim headquarters in the East End of Glasgow. Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland was there to welcome the Minister for Public Health and Sport, Shona Robison MSP and other invited guests who viewed the new office accommodation and had the opportunity to meet staff members.

In January 2008 the Scottish Government announced that sportscotland would relocate its headquarters to an interim location in Glasgow, ahead of a permanent move to a site adjacent to the new National Indoor Sports Arena and Velodrome in the second half of 2011. Just over a year later, relocation plans have been implemented and the move to Glasgow has been completed on time and under budget. From 1 April 2009 sportscotland will be based at Doges, Templeton on the Green, Glasgow with a staffing complement of around 120.

The interim location has the benefit of being close to the permanent headquarters, enabling staff to experience the area they will be working in for the long-term and allowing them to establish new travel plans. It also meets the underlying principles of contributing to the regeneration of the East End.

Sports Minister Shona Robison said: “The official opening of these new premises marks the start of a fresh chapter in the continued development of sportscotland and the Institute of Sport as one integrated organisation and builds on the impressive achievements both organisations have delivered over the years.

“I would like to congratulate all of the staff for coping with the challenges of the relocation and working together to deliver a restructured and stronger organisation. This move accelerates the regeneration of the East End of Glasgow and gives sportscotland the opportunity to work at the very heart of sport development as we prepare for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.”

Welcoming the move Louise Martin said: “We are delighted that today marks the future of sportscotland here in Glasgow. We have risen to the challenge laid down by the Scottish Government last January and we have worked hard to ensure that the organisation has moved on time and in good shape to address the exciting times that lie ahead.

“We are very pleased with the facilities offered at Doges, Templeton on the Green and feel it will be the ideal location during this transition phase. We look forward to working closely with Glasgow City Council and partners on the development of our permanent HQ, and are excited about the prospect of sportscotland, the national agency for sport, being at the heart of Glasgow’s wonderful new sporting infrastructure that will showcase the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

“I am particularly pleased that more than 65% of staff have chosen to stay with the organisation and moving forwards I am confident that we have the foundations of a terrific new team. An organisation that is as lean, efficient and as effective as it possibly can be and that the end result will be a national agency which is even better placed to have a positive impact on Scottish sport.”

Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "This is a very important day for sport in Scotland as the national body responsible for the development and support of all sportspeople - from grassroots to elite - moves to Glasgow.

"It is fitting that the home of sport in this country should operate so close to the infrastructure being put in place for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

• "It is also a testament to Glasgow’s current sporting status that so many world-class events can be attracted to the city, and the move of sportscotland will, I am sure, further improve the development of sport at all levels in our country."
  sportscotland is the National Agency for Sport. To find out more about what we’re doing for sport, visit us online at www.sportscotland.org.uk
• As of 1 April 2009 sportscotland’s new head office will be located at: Doges, Templeton on the Green, 62 Templeton Street, Glasgow G40 1DA, Tel: 0141 534 6500
• From the 1 April 2009, the Scottish Institute of Sport will be known as the sportscotland institute of sport. This reflects the one organisation approach being driven by sportscotland in the best interests of Scottish sport.
• As the high performance arm of sportscotland, the Institute is working with our partners to build greater success for Scottish sport. Our vision is Scotland consistently winning on the world stage.
• The sportscotland Institute of Sport will continue to be based at its offices in Stirling.
• sportscotland is continuing to develop its plans for six area offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Stirling and Dundee.