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The Moray Sports Centre project reached a significant milestone today as construction got underway at the 12-acre site located next to Linkwood Distillery in South Elgin.
To celebrate, there was a breaking ground ceremony where Moray Sports Foundation’s Chairman, Sandy Adam, and young sports coach Carinne Taylor (right), joined CEO, Kathryn Evans on site.
Kathryn Evans is ambitious for the next chapter of MSC. She said:
“This is a really exciting moment for Moray Sports Centre and the people of Moray. Breaking ground marks yet another key step on the journey to opening a state-of-the-art sports facility and community space in Moray and has been the result of years of hard work. As the centre starts to take shape, more and more funding opportunities will become available to us to help make Moray Sports Centre everything the people of Moray need it to be.”
Pam Gowans, Chief Officer of Health & Social Care Moray, said: “this provides another contribution to Moray’s wealth of resources that support people’s ability to live longer healthier lives.”
This is only the first phase in building the sports centre; construction work is expected to take around a year to complete. Once fully operational the centre will create over 100 jobs.
Carinne, who has just completed her BScH Sport and Fitness at Moray College and coaches for Active Schools, commented that MSC would make a big difference in Moray, “the new sports centre will increase the opportunities for people of all ages to participate in sport and will also increase the opportunities for elite athletes to train closer to home. The improved facilities will not only create more opportunities for participation, it will help improve the quality of the sessions that are delivered.”
Morrisons Construction will be building the centre. Morrisons Managing Director of North East Mike Bruce, said: “Our team is excited to begin works on the Moray Sports Centre project. We are looking forward to working with our client to deliver this facility for the people of Elgin and the surrounding communities.”
Earlier this year sportscotland awarded the project a £250k grant. The MSC team continues to seek funding and sponsorship.
Angela Norrie, Fundraising and Sponsorship Manager commented: “We have the funding to start the project but to provide all the facilities that Moray needs we need the help of sports clubs and organisations to rally their members and get behind us in partnership working and charity fundraising events.”
The centre is also offering bespoke sponsorship packages to local businesses including marketing opportunities and naming-rights for once the facility is open.
Angela continued:
“Sponsorship will not only boost what we can offer but also provide businesses with the ability to reach hundreds of people daily.”
If you are interested in sponsoring the centre, want to get involved with joint fundraising events or to keep up to date on how the centre is progressing, visit our Play your part page or contact us.