Lack of sports facilities in Thurso having ‘huge impact’ on health and well-being across Caithness
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The "unbelievable" shortage of indoor sports facilities in the Thurso area is having "a serious impact" on local clubs and groups.
The problem is also affecting people's "mental well-being, children's social interactions and future opportunities," according to the chairwoman of the Thurso Netball Club, Hannah Perriewood, who has raised the issue with MSP Maree Todd and local councillors.
Mrs Perriewood explained that the Thurso High School games hall was used by local sports clubs and groups but has not been let to them since September 2023 following an oil leak in a boiler which has been replaced. The premises are only used by pupils.
“This means that these clubs have nowhere to train and compete, which is particularly problematic for netball and badminton. Groups which promote health and well-being in the community are being disadvantaged and the high school is losing income for what seems like no valid reason,” she said.
“One of the reasons given for the lets being disallowed is there are no showers available, but there are temporary changing rooms and toilets in the huts next to the games hall which school pupils are using when they have PE lessons," Mrs Perriewood told the John O'Groat Journal.
“Toilets are also available in the main school building. There seems to be no compelling reason that this arrangement cannot be put in place for lets to clubs and adult groups, as access to the changing rooms doesn’t require access to the main school building.”
She said the clubs affected locally include Thurso Netball, Caithness Badminton, Thurso United, Caithness Ladies Football team, Caithness Athletics, Thurso Surf Club and Caithness Vikings junior and senior basketball.
"Many of the members of these clubs come from surrounding villages so the impact of the unavailability of the games hall is more widespread than would initially seem," she said.
Mrs Perriewood pointed out that Mount Pleasant, Pennyland and Halkirk primary schools are offered on the Highland Council website as being available as sports venues but claimed “clubs and interested parties are being turned away as there is no capacity to staff these amenities”.
She added: “Even if available, there is not adequate space for most clubs in primary facilities. The situation is unbelievable for a town the size of Thurso.”
She explained that Caithness Badminton Club has had to move its training to Noss Primary School in Wick while Thurso Netball Club have had to join the Wick’s club training session at Wick High School.
Mrs Perriewood said Caithness Junior Badminton has to use Gym 1 in Thurso High which has no badminton lines. Caithness Athletics also uses the same gym, as does Caithness Ladies football club but for fitness training only.
"Football of any sort is not allowed in the gym," she said. It is understood that Wick High School still operates the timetable which was put in place during Covid restrictions.
Mrs Perriewood said it is “most likely there will be no games hall or gyms available in Thurso and Wick” next month during the school exams.
“The games hall was supposed to be ready for let by April but I don't think it will happen at all now. It is really disappointing and will have a serious impact for sport in Caithness but particularly in Thurso which is one of the largest towns in the Highlands but has arguably the poorest sports facilities at the moment. We feel this is something that needs to be addressed.”
Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Matthew Reiss said the changing rooms will have to be demolished as volatile organic compounds were found to be coming up through the floor following the oil leak.
But he argued that if the groups can manage without the changing rooms then the hall should be let to them.
Councillor Reiss said: “If they are happy to use the games hall and go home for a shower afterwards I think that should happen. The council should be doing its utmost to help and accommodate the groups and doing what it can to use the facilities we have got.”
Highland Council and council leader Raymond Bremner were contacted for comment.
