A FOLLOW-UP meeting to last year’s Moray sports summit will look into improving facilities in the area.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead is meeting with officials from Moray Council, Sportscotland and the Scottish Football Association on Friday (February 1) to discuss future plans for sporting amenities.
Last October’s summit at Elgin City Social Club drew members from a range of sports clubs in Moray and highlighted the lack of a proper athletics track and enough football pitches, among other sporting needs.
Since then, developments have included a grant to improve existing facilities at the Morriston track in Elgin, and continuing work at the town’s Deanshaugh playing fields as part of the River Lossie flood alleviation scheme.
Mr Lochhead said he is keen to ensure that momentum continues and that the council and other relevant sports bodies carry on aiming high to provide significantly enhanced facilities for Moray.
“Moray has a golden opportunity to press forward towards the creation of a state of the art sports centre if people think positively and work together,” he said.
“We saw from the October summit the huge breadth of talent and a broad base of expertise from individuals and groups that want to see a much better sporting experience in Moray. We have to get to a point where people, young and old, are confident to learn and develop sporting skills in a wide range of pursuits without having to seek facilities and support further afield.
He added that such facilities are ‘critical’ both in retaining talent and attracting people to live and work in Moray.
“They are also hugely important in preventing future health problems and reducing pressure on the NHS and other key services.”
Friday’s follow-up meeting will be attended by Mr Lochhead, Alan Clark of Sportscotland, Graham Jarvis from Sport Moray, Moray Council chief executive Roddy Burns, and SFA development officer Graeme Sutherland.
