Ambitious plans to build a new £3 million sport complex at Inverness Marina have taken a giant leap forward after a £100,000 funding grant put them one step closer to construction.
The new facility, called The Ledge, will be Scotland’s second largest sports centre, offering a number of modern amenities for avid climbers and local residents; with more than 50,000 visitors expected to walk through its doors each year.
The project is one of three in the Highlands who have been granted £100,000 from Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).
Duncan McCallum co-host of The BBC’s Adventure Show, is the driving force behind the project saying this cash boost puts the team one step closer to reaching their funding goals. He said:
“It’s a major boost to the project. This 100k injection is an important and major step towards seeing the project becoming fully funded. The SSE award is recognising that The Ledge will become a major sports facility, which will complement the Region and the City of Inverness and provide training facilities for today and future generations of climbers and adventure sports people living and visiting the region.
“We have raised about £700,000 and we have another £150,000 pending. We are really close to staging the construction. We are looking at starting a crowd funder to fund what remains. We are really close; we are just a sniff away. It’s very good.”
The facility will feature a number of elements, suited to train international climbers, including several climbing areas and bouldering spaces.
It will also offer a range of other facilities including a gym, fitness room, changing rooms and yoga space.
A café and soft play area have also been drafted on the plans, along with a number of meeting areas and function suites.
Mr McCallum is hopeful construction on the new climbing facility will commence in early Autumn.
