The Hub Procedure documents can be found HERE
The Hub press release
Athletics Hub Press Release - for Whitemoss AAC and East Kilbride AC
ATHLETICS HUB PRESS RELEASE.
After nearly 4 years of planning, consultation, and fund raising by a few dedicated and resolute volunteers, building work started on the Athletics Hub at the John Wright Sports Centre (JWSC).
The Hub, which is due to be up and running by the summer of 2015, will be the clubhouse of two local athletics clubs, Whitemoss AAC and East Kilbride AC.
The project has been made possible thanks to a package of financial support from a range of funders, including South Lanarkshire Council Whitelees Wind Farm Renewable Energy Fund (£30,409); sportscotland Sports Facilities Fund (£69,315); Biffa Award (£42,054); The Robertson Trust (£20,000), as well as contributions from both clubs, Whitemoss AAC (£27,409) and East Kilbride AC (£4,637)
The Hub will be a two storey building. On the lower floor there will be a flexible classroom space for education and training programmes for athletes, coaches and volunteers, a small strength and conditioning area, a storage room for each club, an administration office and two toilets. The upper floor will provide a coaches library/meeting space, further storage and two further toilets.
It is a small, but significant building for both clubs, who up until now have been running their respective volunteer programme from two 'not fit for purpose' modular buildings.
In the past, the poor quality of clubhouse facilities had meant that volunteers had to travel to attend education and training opportunities, which inhibited the recruitment of new volunteers and caused inconvenience to existing volunteers. Having a facility that allows the clubs to hold local education opportunities for volunteers will greatly enhance their ability to recruit, support and deploy new and more volunteers who are the backbone of community sport.
Access to a quality facility is also important to ensure that people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity. The people behind the building of this facility saw how valuable a role sport and physical activity can play within a community and by providing the Hub it is anticipated that Whitemoss AAC and East Kilbride AC, the JWSC and the sporting prowess of athletes, in East Kilbride and South Lanarkshire will benefit from a purpose built structure.
Graham Ravenscroft, Whitemoss AAC Chair said: “The Athletics Hub will transform club athletics in the local area not only for current club members, coaches and volunteers, but for generations to come. We hope that everyone using this fantastic facility will be empowered to realise their potential and ambitions, whatever standard they aspire to reach."
Craig Whyteside Whitemoss AAC young athlete said: "Athletics is a great participation sport for everyone and it's brilliant that we will have a clubhouse that we can be proud of and will enable us to develop our performance levels as athletes."
Councillor Chris Thompson, Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Enterprise Services Committee said: “The Athletics hub is a great new facility for East Kilbride and South Lanarkshire which will encourage more people to be involved in sport and athletics and is another example of how South Lanarkshire Council’s Renewable Energy Fund is helping communities and groups improve their facilities.”
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “We are delighted that the £69,315 award from the sportscotland Facilities Fund is helping deliver this wonderful initiative and the Athletics Hub will be of real benefit to the local community. sportscotland is committed to providing more and better opportunities for people to take part in sport and physical activity and we view this project as a key part of this commitment.”
Gillian French, Biffa Award Programme Manager said: “This project is an excellent example of how the Landfill Communities Fund can help revitalise sports clubs for the benefit of local enthusiasts and the community. For more than 16 years recreation facilities across the UK have benefited from the scheme and the organisations that award grants through the fund look forward to supporting more in the future.”
Kenneth Ferguson, Director of The Robertson Trust said: “This enhanced facility is going to enable the clubs to build on the excellent work they already do and support more young people within their communities to make positive life choices. The Robertson Trust is delighted to be able to provide them with support to turn their vision into a reality.
Gordon Colvin, East Kilbride Athletics Club President said: “Those of us involved in the sport of athletics are aware of the many positive benefits it confers upon participants of any age. This new Athletics Hub will be a tremendous asset to East Kilbride and I believe will help capture those inspired by the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and assist them in a path to achievement, whether that be in performance athletics, coaching or administration. It is a real investment in the future of the sport in this area. Thanks are due to the dedicated team who made it happen and the various organisations who provided the funding”.