Friday 3 July 2009
One of Scotland’s remote Highland communities has today secured its sporting future with an award of £66,000 through sportscotland’s Sports Facilities fund.
Strathdearn, near Tomatin, is a rural community without local access to any quality sports facilities. Residents face a 50km round trip to the nearest sports centre and with limited public transport options, taking part in sport is a challenge in itself. All that is about to change, however, with funding from sportscotland for a covered pitch.
The pitch will be at the very heart of the community and project co-ordinators have been working closely with local groups to establish their requirements. sportscotland has also contributed considerable expertise during the planning and design phase to ensure that the pitch can meet that demand for some time to come. A multi-sport surface was identified as the most suitable to provide flexibility and make access to the pitch as inclusive as possible. Highland Disability Sport has already committed to running taster sessions in a number of sports while the Active Schools Co-ordinator will organise female only ‘come and try’ days to encourage more participation from women and girls. Junior groups from Strathdearn and the surrounding area are also set to benefit as they will be able to use the facility free of charge.
As with many Highland communities, there is a long tradition of shinty being played in the area but the development of the sport has been under pressure due to the lack of local facilities. The new pitch will provide a base for local teams and allow for women’s shinty to be introduced through Active Schools to ensure that the shinty tradition continues in Strathdearn.
Sympathetically designed to blend in with the local landscape, the new pitch will be covered in a bid to combat adverse weather conditions and to allow for year-round access. While the design will make the most of the natural light, artificial lighting will also be provided to maximise the amount of time the pitch will be available for use, particularly in the winter months.
Duncan Hendry, Community Development Worker for Strathdearn is in no doubt as to the impact the new pitch will have on the community: “The financial and practical assistance that sportscotland is giving to this exciting new venture will enable residents of all ages to take part in a wide variety of sports without having to travel huge distances.
“ Those living outwith the Strathdearn area will also be welcome to use it for their own activities. This will be a wonderful new addition to a growing number of amenities in this area, forging community spirit in the already strong and growing Strathdearn.”
Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland said: “sportscotland believes that providing good quality, accessible facilities that meet the needs of the local community is essential in developing grassroots sport in Scotland.
“ This well conceived project is a fantastic example of how targeted investment can add value to the life of a community and we are delighted to provide this investment of £66,000 to the Strathdearn Sports Facility. Realising this project has been a true community endeavour and will ensure that this and future generations can lead an active, healthy lifestyle.”
- Between the 1 January and 31 December 2008 sportscotland has invested £7,090,470 million in sports facility projects of all shapes and sizes and benefiting the length and breadth of Scotland.
- The sportscotland Sports Facilities Fund has two strands: Community Facilities and Training & Competition Facilities.
sportscotland Sports Facilities Fund - May 2009
Project Title: Strathdearn Sports Facility
Applicant: Strathdearn Hall (nr Tomatin, Highland)
Award: £66,000
Contact for Press: Duncan Hendry
Tel: 07881 832004
Project: Provision of a covered all-weather floodlit synthetic pitch 19m x 39m)
Community Facilities Strand – one award award totalling £66,000