BUSINESSES SEE BENEFITS OF NATIONAL PERFORMANCE CENTRE FOR SPORT TO EDINBURGH ECONOMY
Businesses across Edinburgh have today come out in support of the city’s bid to win the National Performance Centre for Sport for the capital. At present Edinburgh is on a shortlist, but it is by no means a done deal that the Scottish Government will offer the £25m funding to the capital.
Members of the Edinburgh Business Forum, including Harvey Nichols, Morton Fraser and the National Galleries of Scotland, have all given their backing to the Heriot-Watt University bid, partnered by the City of Edinburgh Council.
In a letter of support, Hugh Rutherford, Chairman of the Edinburgh Business Forum, said:-“With its fantastic quality of life, four world-renowned universities and two major colleges, excellent transport infrastructure and an enviable, accessible location in Scotland’s central belt, Edinburgh presents a unique, attractive and highly competitive internationally recognised location for a facility of such national importance.
“The willingness of the Council to commit resources to this project is we believe hugely beneficial to the successful delivery of this facility. In our role of reviewing and commenting on the economic strategy of the City, we can see the significant benefits that such a facility will bring not only to Edinburgh, but to Scotland as a whole.”
The bid was also given backing by Edinburgh’s further and higher education sector, as all universities and colleges in Edinburgh pledged their support to Heriot-Watt University and the Council.
Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s Culture and Sport Convener, said:- “It is clear that the people of Edinburgh are really coming out in support of our bid for the National Performance Centre for Sport. Having such strong backing from the local business community is of key importance as the NPCS will bring significant benefits to the local economy.
“I’d like to thank the Edinburgh Business Forum for coming on board and playing their part in helping to bring the National Performance Centre for Sport to Edinburgh.
The capital has been shortlisted alongside Stirling and Dundee for the £25m centre, with a decision expected in late summer. The facility is intended to provide Scotland’s top sports men and women with the facilities, programmes and services that will enable them to excel on the international stage.
Heriot-Watt University’s bid provides an easily accessible site situated in the capital city of Scotland with good transport links to the rest of the country and the UK. The University already has a strong sports science programme and close links to community clubs, as well as a number of national organisations including Scottish Squash and Racketball.
Professor Steve Chapman, Principal of Heriot-Watt University, said, “It’s tremendous that the business community as well as other higher education institutions are supporting our bid for the National Performance Centre for Sport.
“Heriot-Watt has a strong tradition of supporting performance sport through the development of world -class facilities and a dedicated team of sporting professionals. Our desire is to create an inspirational, world class sporting facility that will help our athletes to compete successfully on the world stage.”
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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