Communities across Scotland are seeing their sporting facilities transformed by a £7.4 million capital spending fund created to boost the legacy from next year’s Commonwealth Games, First Minister Alex Salmond has announced.
Mr Salmond confirmed that the funding – made available through sportscotland from additional capital spending brought forward in this year’s budget – has now been allocated, allowing 27 planned projects in all corners of Scotland to be improved, refurbished or completed ahead of schedule.
The projects given funding include:
- Aberdeen Sports Village and the Olympia Swim and Leisure Centre in Dundee – both given funding for two new 50 metre, Olympic size, swimming pools
- Midlothian Council awarded money to upgrade the Snowsports Centre
- Highland Council given cash for a community facility at Aviemore Primary School
- East Lothian Council awarded funding to build cutting-edge 3G football pitches in North Berwick, Prestonpans and Dunbar.
The First Minister said:
“As excitement surrounding Scottish sport builds ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2014, the Scottish Government is creating a lasting legacy for the whole of the country with investment in sporting infrastructure across the country.
“Investment in sport and physical activity is one of the most important things we can do for the health of our nation and we want everybody in Scotland to be able to access to the best possible sports facilities in their community and be more physically active.
“I am therefore delighted to announce today that the additional £7.4 million in capital funding we granted to sportscotland to improve sporting facilities has now been allocated and is already helping communities the length and breadth of the country transform equipment and facilities such as sports halls, pitches, tennis courts and swimming pools.
“Today’s announcement is a clear demonstration of the Scottish Government’s commitment to delivering a meaningful, lasting legacy in sport and we will continue to invest significant funds in developing an infrastructure that will help to deliver a healthier, more active nation.”