Multi-function Highland sports hub gets one step closer
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A MULTI-MILLION Highland Regional Sports Centre has moved a step forward after Highland Council agreed funding of up to £150,000 to develop detailed designs and costings.
The vast majority of councillors, 51 in total, voted in favour of developing the project and to approach Sportscotland for up to £5 million funding towards the £23.1million building costs.
Just 10 councillors supported Fort William councillor Andrew Baxter’s amendment that the detailed design only be funded if and when the City Region Deal funding was approved by the UK and Scottish Governments.
A possible £300m city-region funding deal is being considered by the UK and Scottish Governments. The council has included the sports facility on its wish list for the City Region Deal funding.
The regional sports complex would be built at Bught Park in Inverness.
It would incorporate a velodrome for indoor cycling, tennis courts and athletics facitilites.
The velodrome would feature thousands of square metres of space in the middle of the cycle track, which could be used for cultural events and concerts.
A large area beneath the cycle track would be converted into changing rooms, meetings rooms and fitness studios.
Brian Porteous of Porteous Leisure which commissioned a feasibility study told councillors yesterday that building the centre at Torvean would cost several million pounds more than Bught Park.
Some councillors were concerned that the facility would "not wash its own face".
The feasibility study estimated the capital cost at £23.1 million at current prices. But the revenue costs of running the facility per year are estimated to be more than £125,000. This excludes ongoing maintenance costs.
David Alston, leader of the Liberal Democrats and councillor for Black Isle said: "Can we afford not to progress this sports facility? The future of the Highlands depends on attracting people to the Highlands and retaining people in the Highlands. Let’s show the ambition, let’s work this up and let’s try to secure the City Deal."
Council leader Margaret Davidson said approving the next stage of the sports centre was vital.
She said: "This is how we will set the ambition that will land us the City Deal. This and other projects are what will land the City Deal for us. This project is really exciting and truly transformational for Inverness and the wider Highlands.It will significantly boost the economy, both in the development stage and following that, in bringing opportunities, visitors and money into the Highlands.
"Of course, all this can only be brought to fruition if we get the City Region Deal and we will be progressing these important discussions with the Scottish and UK Governments."
Fraser Parr, Labour councillor for Inverness Ness-side and John Ford, Culloden and Ardersier Labour councillor, said the ice centre at Bught Park badly needed upgrading and should be included in any spending plans
Inverness South councillor Jim Crawford said siting the sports facility at Bught Park would cause traffic congestion on that side of the city. He said it would make more sense to build it on the east side of the city.
Inverness South SNP councillor Ken Gowans supported the centre but was disappointed that there was no consideration of it being built in the south of the city, where he believed it would be better placed due to better transport links and facilities.
He was also concerned the conference centre might compete with Eden Court Theatre and said the velodrome was for those taking part in what is a "very elitist sport" requiring special bikes with special tyres and other expensive equipment. He said: "It not that inclusive especially for poorer families."
Mr Porteous said: "If judo moves to the new centre that will free up more space in the sports halls in Inverness. If gymnastics moves into this centre that immediately frees up more space in other sports halls."
Dingwall and Seaforth SNP councillor Graham MacKenzie could see the benefit in the proposal to elite athletes but said not everyone was "elite".
He wondered where the money would be found to cover the potential "revenue loss" of around £125,000 per year.
He said: "I wonder about the impact of the rest of the sporting community in Highland. Can I remind you that 10 years ago the flagship opportunity for the Highlands in partnership with the two football clubs was the Highland Football Academy.
"Can I tell members that within the next year it is likely that facilities in both Charleston and Dingwall will be condemned because of a lack of maintenance over the years. In fact at Charleston Sports Complex the pitch there cannot be used by the under 13 fixtures because it is not certified and it is not suitable for use. The facilities at Dingwall are in urgent need of capital investment, both indoors and outdoors and I fear that if we are going to project a revenue loss at the very start of this sports facility that those facilities, not just in Dingwall or Inverness but across the rest of the Highlands, will not be met with the same level of maintenance that is required.
"I feel that those issue cannot be put off. We owe it to the people of the wider Highlands to assure them that maintenance of quality sporting facilities in their areas will be met."
Wick councillor Donnie MacKay said: "We should spread this money. We in Thurso have waited 20 years or more for a running track to be finished and it’s a disgrace for Highland Council. And we have world-class surfing but no facilities. We need those facilities, we’re having surfing championships with no facilities, this is a disgrace and I’m sorry but I will not vote for Inverness on this because Thurso needs their bits."
