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Funding for Scotland's sporting future
03/11/2009
Investment in sports facilities for Tayside and Fife was announced today.
Sports Minister Shona Robison and Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland today announced £5.5 million of investment in sports facilities as part of the Government's drive to increase participation, improve performance and deliver a lasting legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Tayside and Fife has a proven track record in producing athletes of a high standard and with the funding announced today those athletes will have the facilities to match their talent, including Scotland's latest 50m pool in Dundee, a short course championship eight lane 25m pool in Glenrothes and a much-needed sports hall in Kirkcaldy.
Three of the region's towns and cities are set to benefit with Dundee, Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy all receiving funding from sportscotland's Sports Facilities Fund to create new leisure centres each with a competition standard swimming pool as the centrepiece of the project. £3 million will be invested in the project in Dundee while Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes will receive £1 million and £1.5 million respectively.
Sports Minister Shona Robison said: "This funding will provide a vital boost for Scottish sport in helping build better, healthier communities and an Active Scotland.
"These facilities will be an excellent community resource for people in Dundee, Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy and will offer young people more and better opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity. Providing quality facilities is essential if we are to achieve our ambitions for sport and will help Tayside and Fife continue to produce a high standard of future athletes.
"With the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow in 2014 we have a once in a lifetime chance to make a real difference to the lives of all our communities. I am passionate and determined that the legacy is accessible to all, so that long after the event the benefits of a more modern, healthy and inclusive Scotland are clearly visible and enjoyed by all."
Scottish Swimming, the governing body for the sport, published their facilities strategy earlier this year and identified the need for more swimming pools in the region suitable for use as training centres for performance swimmers. The three new facilities will provide athletes with the option of developing their talent locally to the very highest level, something that wasn't possible previously.
In making the announcement Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland said: "sportscotland has a clear focus on developing Scotland's sporting infrastructure and central to that is a network of facilities designed to enhance the lives of local communities and to create the right environment for our young athletes to discover and develop their sporting talent.
"In particular, our investment of £5,500,000 demonstrates sportscotland's commitment to improving Scotland's performances in the lead up to 2014, and to ensuring that the people, places and thinking are in place to build on that momentum when the Games come to an end. Our local authority partners in Tayside and Fife clearly share that vision and we look forward to seeing the region's athletes reaping the benefits of these fantastic new facilities."
Today's announcement demonstrates how sportscotland is playing an important role, in meeting the challenges of delivering an improved network of facilities. Working closely with local authorities and Scottish governing bodies of sport to create the right facilities where they can really make a difference to athletes and local communities, and linking in with coaching and development initiatives, Scotland is building a sporting legacy for generations to come.
Dundee City Council leisure and communities convener Councillor Bob Duncan said: "We welcome the funding that sportscotland has confirmed for the city's new pool. It means that we can continue to make further progress on the plans for the replacement for Olympia.
"The new complex will be a superb addition to leisure in Dundee, with a competition- standard 50-metre pool as well as excellent family-oriented facilities that the city can be proud of."
Also welcoming the investment Councillor Brian Goodall, Chair of the Housing & Communities Committee, Fife Council said: "One of Fife Council's 'Big 8' priorities is improving sport, leisure and cultural opportunities. This much welcomed funding of £2.5 million, towards the Council's ambitious projects in Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy, will go a long way in helping us achieve that.
"Fife Council has already received a £1.1m boost from sportscotland towards the redevelopment of Carnegie Leisure Centre in Dunfermline. This funding, along with Fife Council's investment of over £50m will help deliver three modern state-of-the-art sports facilities for the people of Fife to enjoy for many years to come."
Ashley Howard, Chief Executive of Scottish Swimming confirmed how important the new pools are to their strategic vision: "Supporting strategically planned swimming pool facilities is critical to achieving Scottish Swimming's vision, which is that 'everyone can swim'. This includes quality facility development as well as expert programming to support all users in a supportive engaging environment.
"We look forward to working with all partners in Tayside and Fife to support the development of each facility as well as their sustainable programming so that these pools can play their role in driving forward our nation's participation and performance."