Gold medallist Heather Stanning to open Moray Sports Centre
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Olympic gold medallist Heather Stanning will officially open the new £12 million Moray Sports Centre.
The double Olympic champion will also give visitors the chance to go head-to-head with her on a rowing machine.
Ms Stanning will open the centre on Friday, August 30.
She said: “It’s an absolute honour to be asked to open the new Moray Sports Centre. It’s exciting to visit the centre for the first time.
"I’ve been following the progress as it’s been built and it’s great to be able to see the finished product.”
She added: “A centre like this is seriously important for the region. There are so few facilities like this in the north of Scotland, so for the residents of Moray to have it here on their doorstep is fantastic.
"I’m sure even after the excitement of having a new facility dies down, you’ll see it being used all year round, providing a space for sport, exercise and activity unlike what anyone locally has previously had.”
Ms Stanning won gold with Helen Glover at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games in the coxless pairs.
She will hold a question and answer session with pupils from local primary schools who have been invited along with other VIPs.
The charity-run centre boasts a multi-purpose hall with separate gyms, indoor cycling room, and numerous studios for fitness and mindfulness classes.
Construction on the first phase of the centre began in May 2018 and fundraising for the next phases continues with covered tennis courts being the next development.
It currently employs 40 people, but once complete, it is expected to create up to 100 jobs.
Chief Executive Kathryn Evans said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Heather home to the official opening of our state-of-the-art facility.
"We have a fun-filled day planned and we are delighted that Heather will be able to spend time with us, meet our members and race those daring enough to take her on.”
The Moray Sports Centre, which is being financed by the Moray Sports Foundation charity, secured a £250,000 grant from sportscotland.
Gail Cleaver, the centre's operation manager, said: “We are delighted with the numbers of members who have already joined us and are pleased to be working with so many businesses with corporate rates.
"We have a busy few months ahead and are working with major sports organisations to bring some key events to the region.”
For more information visit the Moray Sports Centre website.
