Viewfirth sports complex bid is still on track
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The bid to create a sports complex on the Viewfirth site in Thurso remains on track after the ending of a threat to the survival of the body in charge of the project.
Thurso Sports Hub has been battling to provide the town’s first purpose-built community leisure centre and a four-lane running track at the one-time home of the Dounreay Sports and Social Club.
But its future was on the line after it twice failed to find people willing to serve as office-bearers.
The threat was lifted when the positions were filled at an extraordinary general meeting last week.
Phil Cartwright, who is to remain as chairman, had warned that if the proposal fell by the wayside the site of the former club and the adjoining playing field would be lost to the community and redeveloped.
He and his colleagues are now focused on securing funding for the first phase of the venture, comprising a £1.6 million four badminton-court sized centre and changing rooms.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) – which owns most of the site – has pledged to gift the land and make a financial contribution.
But Mr Cartwright said that offer could be withdrawn unless it sees early progress with the scheme.
The hub has agreed with Highland Council to lease the remaining land at Viewfirth.
Hub secretary Shona Kirk said a study had shown the site as the only one in the town suited as an indoor sports centre, running track and Astroturf area.
“It’s the only bit of ground available which we wouldn’t have to pay a fortune for. Other sites were going to cost thousands if not tens of thousands to buy or remediate,” she said.
Mrs Kirk added that the hub has still to finalise a funding package for the first phase so the plan is currently in limbo.
She said good early progress was made with fundraising drive but then it had to go through a laborious, time-consuming process to prove the need for the facility.
“SportScotland is now fully behind us but, by the time we had jumped through all the hoops the SportScotland grant funding for projects like ours had dropped from £500,000 to £100,000.
“They have now given us the green light but a possible £400,000 has evaporated.”
Mrs Kirk added: “Everyone was a bit browbeaten by this and left wondering if this thing was ever gong to happen.”
Speaking at last Wednesday’s meeting in Thurso High School, local community councillor Colin Johnson said: “It would be a real shame to lose the ground at Viewfirth if this can’t be sorted out.”
After a handful of volunteers agreed to join the committee and community councillor Elspeth Husband was elected treasurer, both Mr Cartwright and Mrs Kirk decided to stay on in their respective posts.
The hub represents 19 clubs, with athletes, gymnasts and badminton players among those who would stand to gain the most from the new centre.
