Major funding for Golspie and Brora projects
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Two projects in Brora and Golspie will share £250,000, it was announced this lunchtime, thanks to money set aside by Scottish Hydro via their Gordonbush wind farm development, to deliver a deep and lasting legacy in the local community.
Sutherland Community and Sports Recreation Hub, Golspie, receives £160,000 for the cost of developing the blaize pitch, which forms the main part of the community and sports hub project, and is designed to have a long term impact on improving the physical health and social cohesion of the East Sutherland community.
It will provide an all-weather pitch, as part of a multi-function facility, and will increase participation in sporting and leisure activities.
The Brora Social Amenities Group receive £70,000 towards their community hall development.
The group will work with the wider community in Brora to develop a much needed facility, which will host a variety of learning, social and indoor sport activities, and will be available for events. It aims to promote community development and cohesion.
£20,000 has also been ring fenced to provide a local resource to further support the development of projects.
Fourteen projects were submitted for funding and a panel made up of representatives from the Brora and Golspie communities came up with their final decision this week.
Scottish Business in the Community (SBC), who has been managing the fund, will continue to support viable, unsuccessful applicants by helping develop their ideas and funding opportunities.
John Murray, representing the Sutherland Community and Sports Recreation Hub, said: “I am delighted, on behalf of the Hub, to have received this award from Scottish Hydro. The funding will be a huge benefit to the communities of East Sutherland and beyond, a lasting legacy for many generations to come, and increased health and wellbeing to all who use it.”
Warren Henneghan, from the Brora Social Amenities Group, said: “The Amenities Group is delighted to have received this award from Scottish Hydro. The funding and support will enable us to work with the community to take this project to the next stage. We are excited at having the opportunity to get this project off the ground.”
Avril Fraser from Scottish Hydro said: “With so many brilliant projects locally, it really was a tough decision for the local panel to come up with just two projects to fund. We are delighted that these funds will provide an opportunity for a sustainable legacy for Brora and Golspie and the wider community in East Sutherland.
“If each of our proposed renewable energy developments is successful, Scottish Hydro will be investing £240 million over the next 25 years in community projects. It’s important to us that these deliver a real and sustainable legacy locally and I’m pleased to see how much ambition there is to create a real lasting legacy from the Gordonbush wind farm.”
