FERGUSLIE TO BENEFIT FROM SPORTSCOTLAND FUNDING TO BUILD NEW PAVILION

Sports clubs and community sport facilities across Scotland will receive an additional £5million of National Lottery funding over the next two years.

 

The budget for sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund has been doubled for the next two years, meaning there will be £10million available in that time for projects designed to increase sporting opportunities in Scottish communities.

 

The news comes as the latest awards are confirmed with 18 projects sharing just over £2.5million, including £162k for Ferguslie Cricket Club

 

The money will cover 50% of the cost of a new pavilion for the club. The plans will provide two modern changing rooms, accessible shower and toilet facilities and additional spaces for club use including a kitchen. The development will enable the club to address limitations of their existing facility, which is restricted in terms of capacity and accessibility.

 

The club has a strong and established participation base across senior and junior cricket and the new facility will support the club’s ambition to expand activity, particularly in relation to girls’ and women’s cricket. The improved pavilion will enable the club to host multiple teams at the same time and support increased programme delivery.

 

 

Ferguslie Club Secretary, David Love, said:

 

"We are absolutely delighted to receive this significant investment from sportscotland. It is a tremendous vote of confidence in our vision for the future of Ferguslie Cricket Club and brings us much closer to delivering facilities that will benefit our members and the wider community for generations to come.

 

"Our aim is to create an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy cricket, regardless of age, gender or ability. We are particularly excited about the opportunities the new pavilion will create to grow participation among women and girls as the game continues to develop across Scotland."

 

 

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. I’d like to thank the people involved in the 18 projects given funding in this round of awards including Glenrothes Strollers FC, they’ve shown a really commitment to ensuring sporting opportunities are protected and increased in Fife.”

 

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 underrepresented 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.

 

Sports Minister Maree Todd:

 

“This represents a significant milestone for sportscotland’s Sports 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 underrepresented groups and communities facing the greatest barriers, these projects will help ensure that more people can lead active, healthy lives.”