Summary
Caithness and North Sutherland experience long and dark autumns/winters with a climate characterised by the biting winds. The area is also facing serious socio-economic challenges with the rundown of the Dounreay nuclear site. Surprisingly, the area has no indoor sports facility; people have to travel to Dingwall or Inverness to enjoy such an amenity. Nowhere else in Scotland is so disadvantaged.
There is, therefore, a clear need for a high quality sports facility in its own right; but beyond that there is the bonus that the construction of an indoor sports and leisure facility will enhance the area's social infrastructure and may persuade families to stay or attract new families, to live and work in the area.
The Halkirk Sports and Leisure project has a well founded organisation in place with the formation of a company (Halkirk Community Sports Foundation) which also has charitable status. The Board of Directors have appointed various specialist advisers, an experienced project manager and a Management Committee with representatives from organisations having a direct interest in using the facility. The project is financially sound as private donations of over £1.5 million means that around 40% of the capital cost is secured.
The facility will have a 60m by 40m indoor arena with artificial turf, a gymnasium and leisure suite, sauna, climbing wall, sports injury clinic, a crèche, a multi purpose room, changing facilities and an outdoor football field meeting SFA standards.
The main beneficiaries will be children and adults involved in football, rugby, athletics and golf, along with people wanting to generally keep fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The facility meets one of the UK Government's main aims, which is to tackle the national issue of obesity and related illnesses via the promotion of healthier living.
Extensive consultation with the local population and potential users has shown that there is overwhelming support for the Project and that there will be a high user rate. Representatives of The Highland Council, Highland & Islands Enterprise, Sportscotland and the Big Lottery have all indicated that financial grants should be forthcoming.
The capital budget shows a shortfall of £489,000, which is around 15% of the estimated cost. However, applications are being made to other organisations and fund raising is in hand. The estimates for operations predict a small profit of around £10,000 per year in the first three years.
As an indication of their faith in the validity of the Project the Management Committee has instructed the Design Team to take their work forward to the point of being ready to seek tenders for the construction work. This course of action will enable the Project to run to the planned programme. A further factor is that the Planning Consent has been granted.
The enthusiasm and expertise of the Board of Directors and the Management Committee, combined with the overwhelming support of all stakeholders, must surely mean that "Make it Happen" will be achieved.
Proposed Site and Current Field Area