Meggetland Recreation Ground is to receive £200,000 from sportscotland towards the development of two new pitches, it was announced today.
It is understood the pitches will be of the all-weather type.
Other beneficiaries among 16 singled out for assistance include North Berwick Harbour Trust who receive £200,000 towards a new water sports hub and Melrose rugby club who can look forward to a £100,000 boost in terms of new changing rooms.
Sports Minister Maree Todd said: “This represents a significant milestone for sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund and will deliver meaningful benefits for local communities across Scotland.
“These investments are a testament to the vision and determination of the people behind these projects, who are working collaboratively to create and improve the places where people come together to take part in sport and physical activity. By improving local facilities and widening access to participation, particularly for under-represented groups and communities facing the greatest barriers. These projects will help ensure that more people can lead active, healthy lives.”
The aim behind the sportscotland Sport Facilities Fund is to work with partners to support projects which are designed to create or improve the places where people take part in sport and physical activity in their local community.
Priority is given to plans that widen access to participation or allow people to progress further within their chosen sport locally by removing barriers, particularly in rural areas or areas of deprivation and for groups who are under-represented in sport.
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.
Since 2002, sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund has played a key role in maintaining and improving Scotland sporting infrastructure, supporting 839 projects in that time. Those awards have totalled over £122million. When match funding from local and national partners is taken into account, the fund has helped ensure just under £900million of investment in Scotland’s sport facilities.
Chief Executive Officer of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “The impact of the sportscotland Sport Facilities Fund cannot be overstated. Without that investment, and the investment and commitment of our local and national partners, Scotland’s sporting infrastructure would look very different today.
“We know the life-changing benefits sport brings to individuals, and the integral role it plays in communities across Scotland. We will continue to work closely with our local and national partners, like the 16 granted funding in this round of awards, to ensure sporting opportunities are protected and increased wherever possible across the country.”
Oban Lorne RFC are among the projects to share £2,390,375 in the latest round of awards. They have received £200,000 towards the cost of a new accessible clubhouse with changing rooms. The project will allow the club to increase capacity and also expand use of the venue for other clubs and community groups in the area.
