Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East and Shadow Minister for Sport has called on the Scottish Government to help increase access to sport in rural communities and help with the development of new sports facilities for rural communities.
The North East MSP has highlighted the need for a level playing field for funding for new sports facilities.
Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East and Shadow Minister for Sport said:
“We already have some first class sports facilities serving rural communities across Scotland including the Huntly Nordic Ski Centre which has become Scotland’s premier national center for Nordic skiing and is a vital asset in the development of the sport.
“With Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014 it is vital that sporting opportunities are developed across Scotland not just in the central belt.
“I welcome the fact that the Scottish Government are looking to establish a further 8 hubs in the North East.
“There is a growing concern that many rural communities are not being given the same level of access to funding to help develop new sports facilities.
“I believe it is vital that a level playing field is put in place to help take forward funding for new sports facilities to ensure that rural communities do not lose out.
“I have been contacted by a number of local groups looking to take forward new sports projects and facilities which have not be given the same access to potential funding steams due to the rural nature of their project or the perceived affluence of rural communities.
“It is clear that there are a number of potential sports developments such as the new all-weather sports facility in New Deer which are currently struggling to gain the necessary funding to deliver these community facilities.
“I believe it is vital that a level playing field is put in place to help take forward funding for new sports facilities to ensure that rural communities do not lose out.”