Crags centre reopens

Sports Centre Tips-off with Fresh Start

The Crags Community Sports Centre got a fresh start last week at a ‘tip-off’ event to mark the re-opening of the Centre.

The ‘tip-off’ marked the official hand over from The City of Edinburgh Council to a new community organisation set up specifically to run the Centre for the long-term. The new charity has a strong basketball theme with local club Boroughmuir Blaze and governing body basketballscotland teaming up with Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association.

Local residents, volunteers, council leaders, community organisations and politicians got together to mark the occasion which featured many local people who campaigned for over twenty years to have the Centre built.

The ‘tip-off’ event included the March round of the South-Central Primary Schools Basketball League which features eight teams from surrounding schools. League leaders St Peter’s and James Gillespie’s Primary Schools are featured in the event photo alongside Councillor Ron Cairns, Vice Convener of Culture and Leisure for City of Edinburgh Council and attendees on the day.

Councillor Cairns said: “Today marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the Crags Community Sports Centre and the local community here. Residents and local groups will be able to enjoy regular community access, with areas such as the Games Hall and Studio to be used on a frequent basis by local schools, parent and toddler groups and Canongate Youth Project. I wish The Crags Community Sports Centre all the very best in this worthwhile new venture.”

Eugene Mullan, Convener of The Crags Community Sports Centre said: “The ’tip-off’ marked an important day in the story of The Crags and it was heartening to see so many people who care about the Centre’s future. We’re looking forward to working with all our partners to create a sustainable long-term enterprise at the Centre.”

Heather Macnaugton, Head of Neighbourhood Regeneration at Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association said: “We are delighted to be working with the new Crags Community Sport Centre.   The facility lies within a neighbourhood where we have a significant amount of customers living in our affordable homes.  We are keen for the local community to have access to a new range of healthy activities and increase their opportunities to meet new people.  Castle Rock Edinvar will be providing the property and environmental maintenance service for the facility.

From basketball to break-dancing to roller derby, the Crags has a range of new and exciting activities. Edinburgh residents can now get involved by attending one of the classes for kids or adults; or by joining one of the partner sports clubs.

The Centre has one of the largest games halls in Edinburgh, a dance/fitness studio, social reception area, changing facilities, kitchen, storage space, car park and an open-access outdoor kick-pitch.

Next on the event schedule for The Crags is a Community Open Day on Saturday 21 April.

The Community Open Day will offer people the opportunity to learn about the Centre’s activities and contribute ideas for future projects.

Information about The Crags is available at www.cragssports.com

10 Bowmont Place, off the Pleasance, Edinburgh, EH8 9RY

Email them on crags@cragssports.com or telephone them on 0131 667 3334