A NEW community-owned sports facility is being formally opened in Sutherland later this week.
The Scourie Sports Pavilion will be opened on Saturday 7 June by Lady Jane Grosvenor followed by the annual Far North Shinty Sixes competition.
Scourie Community Development Company (SCDC) led on the project as part of its community led development plan.
The company secured a lease for land adjacent to the sports field in the village from Highland Council.
It went on to secure planning permission for the ambitious project to build a sports pavilion that could support, encourage and develop the wide range of outdoor activities undertaken at the venue.
Building works commenced in November 2013 completing in April 2014, on time and to budget.
Neil MacDonald, chair of SCDC, said: “We are delighted with the new facility and were fortunate to have had an excellent winter weather-wise for the building works, which were carried out to a very high standard. The Pavilion will be a great asset to all in the community for years to come.”
Support for the £300,000 project was secured with public finance from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Highland LEADER and The Highland Council and with private finance from Lady Grosvenor, The Anne, Duchess of Westminster Charity and the Westminster Foundation.
SCDC is further supported by HIE’s Strengthening Communities team in order to develop and implement a community-led development plan.
Charles Findlay from HIE, said: “This opening event is a real celebration of the hard work and dedication put in by members of the entire Scourie community to create this Pavilion.
“We are delighted that work is completed and it is fitting that the Far North Shinty Sixes competition be held on the same day. The project is an investment which is a tangible asset to the local community and which should benefit the wider local economy.”
The sports pavilion will be run by a sub committee of the company with volunteer support.
Following the formal opening and Far North Shinty Sixes competition, a ceilidh will be held in the Scourie village hall.
Photographs of the formal opening will be available from w/c 9 June 2014 by contacting communications@hient.co.uk
MEDIA RELEASE issued by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. You too can post your story ideas for journalists (aka press or media releases), on allmediascotland.com. Email info@allmediascotland.com for more information.
Check out twitter.com/nonstopstories. Check out too the brand new twitter.com/allSportsPR.
Contact: HIE Communications
Phone: 01463244238
Email: communications@hient.co.uk
Website: http://www.hie.co.uk
