Issued by sportscotland
Clubs, communities, and leisure trusts across Scotland have received a great start to the new year thanks to more than £1.25million in investment from sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund.
Two projects in Argyll will benefit from £200,000 of the funding, which is made possible thanks to National Lottery players, who raise £30 million each week for good causes across the UK.
Argyll and Bute Council has been awarded £100,000 for the Helensburgh Waterfront Development, a £22M investment that includes a new leisure facility and swimming pool as part of the town’s significant redevelopment. The investment will be used to support existing plans including adding a movable floor to the studio pool which will be ideal for beginners swimming lessons and providing more inclusive access. The addition of a Changing Place Facility will also enable more people with a disability across Argyll and Bute to access swimming as part of a healthy, active lifestyle.
Meanwhile Lochgilphead’s popular community-owned swimming pool, MACpool, will also receive £100,000 to upgrade the existing changing rooms to create an inclusive, accessible shower and changing area, including a Changing Place facility, and improved pool entry. This project is the result of extensive local community consultation and the adaptions will address barriers to participation, particularly for people with disabilities.
Priority was given to projects with a focus on increasing participation in sport and physical activity amongst young people, women and girls, disabled people, as well as deprived or rural communities.
Minister for Public Health and Sport, Mairi Gougeon said:
“I welcome this latest investment from sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund which will make a real difference to people across Scotland. We know that being active brings about positive changes beyond participation and can impact positively on people in communities in creating new relationships and being better connected.
“This fund supports projects that seek to create or improve the places where people take part in sport and physical activity. This will enable communities to provide more opportunities for participation by removing barriers and increasing access to sport for all.”
In total, £1,264,750 will be shared between 15 projects across Scotland for clubs and communities, schools and education establishments, or performance sport environments.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said:
“The projects receiving funding today demonstrate real ambition and commitment to improving the lives of their communities through sport and physical activity. I am delighted that we can support their work through this investment.
“It’s important to recognise that without National Lottery players this level of investment simply would not be possible so we must say a huge thank you to everyone who has bought a National Lottery ticket. Their contribution means that we are able to help clubs and communities achieve their aim of creating the right facilities to develop sport and physical activity in their local area.”
Projects could apply to sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund for awards of up to £100,000 for capital projects designed to create or improve the places where people take part in sport and physical activity.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney, Policy Lead Financial Services and Major Projects, Argyll and Bute Council welcomed the investment:
“The council is investing millions of pounds in creating a successful future for Argyll and Bute. The Helensburgh Waterfront Development is a key part of that. The funding from sportscotland’s Sport Facility Fund is a much welcomed addition to our existing plans to include fully inclusive facilities, and help encourage people who have previously faced barriers to participate in sport.
“Work is progressing well with plans to open the new leisure centre and swimming pool in 2022. Our investment alongside the additional funding will give residents a fantastic facility to enjoy and help attract more people to live, work and visit Argyll and Bute.”
Kim Ritchie, Chair of MACEL Board, said
“We are so grateful to sportscotland for their generosity and their vision in helping us make MACPool a more accessible and welcoming place for people of all ages and abilities. The improved changing village will make a huge difference to all our customers and the inclusion of a Changing Place installation will mean that more people can enjoy the new facilities and the lovely area of Mid Argyll.”
Throughout the application process, applicants were also offered guidance and expertise from sportscotland’s facilities team to make the most of the available investment.
Since April 2007, sportscotland has invested over £192 million of Scottish Government and National Lottery funding to help sports clubs, community groups, local authorities, sport’s governing bodies and other organisations deliver new and upgraded sporting facilities across the country.
The projects who will benefit from today’s announcement are:
- Methlick Community Council (Aberdeenshire) - £25,000
New single court multi-use games area
- Monifieth Athletic Football Club (Angus) £98,000
New 3G synthetic grass training pitch
- Mid Argyll Community Enterprise Limited (Argyll & Bute) £100,000
Swimming pool changing redevelopment - Argyll & Bute Council (Argyll & Bute) £100,000
Helensburgh Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre redevelopment
- City of Edinburgh Gymnastics Club (City of Edinburgh) £100,000
New training facility - Edinburgh Leisure (City of Edinburgh) £41,750
Edinburgh International Climbing Arena new slab wall
- All roads lead to Whithorn (Dumfries & Galloway) £100,000
Re-development of village hall to create a multi-activity community hub - Raydale Community Sports Hub (Dumfries & Galloway) £100,000
New 3G synthetic grass pitch at Raydale Stadium
- Musselburgh Rugby Club (East Lothian) £50,000
Gym and changing room
- Cairneyhill Community Sport Hub (Fife) £75,000
New three court multi-use games area
- Hillwood Community Trust (Glasgow) £100,000
New pavilion - Govanhill Baths Building Preservation Trust (Glasgow) £100,000
New wellbeing centre
- Helmsdale & District Development Trust (Highland) £75,000
New multi-use games area
- Elgin Sports Community Trust (Moray) £100,000
New 3G synthetic grass pitch
- Garnock New Visitor and Community Hub (North Ayrshire) £100,000
New visitor and community Hub