Lack of 2014 benefits for the region branded a disgrace
Outrage as north-east fails to win games cash
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The Scottish Government was under fire last night after the north and north-east lost out on £5.5million Commonwealth Games cash.
Money went to Fife and Tayside – but SportScotland said there were “no plans” for a similar investment in the north or north-east.
The blow comes almost two years after Glasgow won the 2014 games amid promises that the benefits would be felt across Scotland.
Last night, councils in the north and north-east confirmed there had been no major capital investment from government in their sports facilities in recent memory – and no funding was expected in the near future either.
Instead of investment, it is feared financial pressures at local authorities across the north and north-east could leave sports centres facing the threat of closure, as has happened in Aberdeen.
Aberdeen was promised Commonwealth Games funding when the government announced £5million funding for the city’s long-awaited 50-metre swimming pool.
But North East Labour MSP Richard Baker said that was still in question.
He added: “I certainly wouldn’t want to criticise this investment in Tayside and Fife because it would be welcome in those areas.
“But surely we will have to see a similar level of investment in the north and north-east in the future, otherwise there will be that accusation again that they are forgetting the north and north-east.
“It can’t just be Glasgow’s games, it has got to be for the whole of Scotland.”
Highland Lib Dem MP Danny Alexander said: “I think it is disgraceful that once again the north of Scotland is being ignored by the Scottish Government where sports facilities are concerned.
“There are important proposals for a new sports centre in Aviemore, for investment in sports facilities in Inverness and elsewhere in the Highlands, and I think the Scottish Government needs to back these proposals.
“The benefits of the Commonwealth Games need to be spread over the whole of Scotland but it seems to be just the central belt.”
The Scottish Government in September announced £23.5million of investment aimed at ensuring a lasting legacy from the Commonwealth Games in 2014, taking the total to over £32million, including lottery money.
Funding announced yesterday will go towards a 50-metre pool in Dundee (£3million), a 25-metre pool at Glenrothes (£1.5million) and a sports hall at Kirkcaldy (£1million).
Sports Minister Shona Robison said: “This funding will provide a vital boost for Scottish sport in helping build better, healthier communities and an Active Scotland.
“With the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow in 2014 we have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make a real difference to the lives of all our communities.”
But Angus Council deputy leader Ian Mackintosh had not heard of any plans for investment in communities in his region. “I am certainly not aware of anything, we’ve not been notified of anything,” he said. “It would be our desire to have all-weather pitches in every burgh, but it’s a constant battle.”
Moray Council is hopeful of a £1million contribution from SportScotland for a £10million regional sports and arts facility at Elgin High School, although details are yet to be finalised.
Gordon Lib Dem MP Malcolm Bruce said: “The funding for SportScotland is ridiculous and totally inadequate for needs across Scotland and the consequence is that we tend to lose out.
“There is no doubt there is a bias towards where the population is.”
A government spokeswoman said: “Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to ensure there is adequate provision of facilities to allow their residents to take part in sporting and recreational activities and since May 2007 the Scottish Government, through SportScotland, has invested over £50.5million in new and refurbished facilities across the country.
“In addition we are committed to ensuring that the whole of Scotland benefits from the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
“This includes the creation of a ‘community sports hub’ in each local authority area.
“The hubs will provide a welcoming safe and fun environment for people to experience sport in their local community.”
Readers' Comments
This is apparently some sort of joke at our expense, in very bad taste. Who does this spokewoman think she's kidding?! I would like to know in what way we in Highland will benefit from the Commonwealth Games? Sports facilities here are under-resourced and over-used - and mostly cater for Inverness rather than the wider area. We have to travel 25 miles (over an hour on our useless bus service) to our nearest swimming pool and sometimes find when we get there it is full and not admitting anyone. So much for "a welcoming safe and fun environment for people to experience sport in their local community?" It just shows how out of touch some people are. Here on the Black Isle we have been trying to get a swimming pool alongside our secondary school for over 30 years, have raised money locally, have even been promised major Lottery funding if only the local authority will support the project. But despite councillors being elected to do so, the Highland Council has backed away because it says it cannot afford it. As far as we are concerned the Commonwealth Games are just another excuse to deny us basic facilities that other communities take for granted.
John Wood
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Sports Minister Shona Robison must have really good blinkers on if she believes that the only places in Scotland is in the Central belt. Yes they have their "community sports hubs" because our government gives them all the funding. This excuse they trot out that it is up to local authorities to provide adequate facilities. That would fine if our great SNP Government would put the money into our coffers instead of Glasgow and Edinburh
minnie moan a lot
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Minnie - you mean like the Edinburgh Trams costing £500M which the SNP voted to scrap but Labour, Tory and Liberal voted to go ahead? Or do you mean the Glasgow Airport Rail Link costing hundreds of millions which the SNP did scrap but people like Alison McInnes and Mike Rumbles want to press ahead with? Those people need to explain their central belt bias.
Andrew Buchan
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