Jamie McKenzie
Highland Council’s leader believes that the success of Team GB at the Rio Olympics should inspire plans to build a new regional sports hub in Inverness.
A business case for the local authority’s proposal has now been submitted to the council’s finance service.
Councillors agreed in March 2015 to progress the project which could include a cycling velodrome, as well as modern facilities for indoor athletics, gymnastics, tennis and judo on land at Bught Park.
The development could also include a significant contribution by Sportscotland.
Highland Council agreed funding in September last year of up to £150,000 to develop detailed designs and costings for a regional sports Facility.
The venue would also be capable of hosting major exhibitions, conferences and concerts with a capacity of around 3000 people using the infield area.
Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “We have ambitious plans for the future of the Highlands and we are right to be ambitious. We want to have excellent sports facilities that will be available for all of Highland’s young people to perform their best.
“Just look at the wonderful success of Team GB in the Rio Olympics. Congratulations to all those involved, particularly our own Stephen Milne scooping a silver medal for swimming and Inverness rower Alan Sinclair’s success in coming 4th and narrowly missing a medal.
“In order for our future generations to succeed they need the best possible facilities and opportunities.
” It would be an investment in our young people’s future and would also create jobs and stimulate inward investment with conferences and sports tourism”.
The business case will be considered as part of Highland Council’s capital programme review, which will go before councillors in October.
In an update issued in September last year, councillors were told that the project was expected to cost about £23million.
But a contract issued earlier this year suggested the scheme is now expected to cost somewhere between £27.5million and £34.5million.
