Community sports groups in Scotland are set for a significant cash injection with an investment of nearly £1.2million.
New and existing community sports facilities across the country are set to benefit from the sum which is being provided by sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund to local partners.
A total of £1,116,600 will be shared across 10 projects to help develop existing facilities or create a new home for sport and physical activity.
From South Ayrshire to Shetland, the money is being invested in rural communities, areas of deprivation in an effort to make sport more accessible and inclusive.
Chief Executive Officer of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “It is inspiring to see the number of projects looking to improve opportunities for sport and physical activity in the latest round of Sport Facilities Funding.
“We know that sport and physical activity have an important role to play in bringing communities together and building resilience. Thanks to the continued commitment of our local partners more people will have an opportunity to become physically active and feel part of their local community."
In Shetland, a brand-new multi-purpose 3G pitch is being constructed so a range of sports can be hosted all year round, with floodlights also being installed to extend playing hours into the night.
Lerwick football pitch will get a major upgrade (Image: sportscotland)
In Edinburgh, Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled have been awarded £200,000 towards a new indoor riding arena which will increase participation throughout winter when the use of the current outdoor venue is at the mercy of the weather. The organisation support people with a range of disabilities and provide therapeutic and recreational riding opportunities.
Welcoming the investment, Elaine Jefferies, Chair of Ravelrig RDA, said: "The new arena has long been a long-term goal of Ravelrig RDA volunteers, participants and supporters. to enable lessons to continue all year round. At our previous outdoor arena many are rescheduled or cancelled due to the challenges we have with the weather.
“The vision, drive, commitment and support of everyone involved past and present is wholly appreciated and we’d like to thank sportscotland and our other funding partners for helping make the new arena a reality.”
In Glasgow, the Castlemilk Community Football Trust will be able to make the Barlia Football Centre more accessible with an upgrade to the existing pavilion which will see four changing rooms built, allowing for increased use by women’s and girls’ teams as well as disabled players.
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John Harkins, Charity Manager for Castlemilk Community Football Trust, added: “This money from sportscotland is essential to our plans to design and redevelop our changing pavilion into a reimagined space that will complement our recent pitches and floodlights redevelopment.
“This an exciting project that will benefit our footballing and wider community, creating a multi-purpose community space and meeting rooms as well as new improved changing areas, toilets and kitchen.
“Castlemilk Community Football Trust is grateful to have sportscotland as one of our main funders, allowing us to increase accessibility and participation rates at Barlia for all ages and abilities and developing a top-class sports facility, fit for the future, to be enjoyed and utilised by generations to come.”
Other facilities set to benefit from the cash boost include the much anticipated Troon Water Sports Hub in South Ayrshire with a £121,800 investment, and Girvan Youth Football Club will receive £150,000 to upgrade their sports pavilion to include inclusive changing facilities.
In Argyll and Bute, Cove Sailing Club will use £100,000 toward a new clubhouse, Peebles Bowling club will get £70,000, and two projects in Dumfries and Galloway - Stranraer Watersports Association and Dalbeattie Community Initiative – will receive £100,000 toward a new hub and an Indoor and outdoor bouldering wall.
In addition to the investment, projects can benefit from the expertise within sportscotland’s facilities team to maximise the impact that their plans will have, ensuring they meet the needs of their local communities now and in the future.
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