The opening of a new national curling centre in Stirling will ensure that Scotland continues to be a world-leader in the sport, it has been claimed.
The Courier revealed on Friday that the Scottish Government’s national agency for sport, sportscotland, and Stirling Council have invested millions of pounds to improve curling facilities at Stirling Sports Village.
It is hoped the huge investment will help build upon the medal success enjoyed by the teams of Eve Muirhead and David Murdoch at the Sochi Winter Olympics.
Stirling Council is investing £1.25 million in the National Curling Centre at The PEAK in Stirling and sportscotland is contributing £1m.
In addition to increasingice capacity, the sport’s governing body, the Royal Caledonian Curling Club (RCCC), is also in discussions with the council to relocate its and British Curling’s head offices, and the National Curling Museum, to The PEAK.
Scottish Government minister for sport and Commonwealth Games Shona Robison said: “The PEAK has played a crucial role in the success our curlers enjoyed in Sochi.
“A National Curling Centre will build on this success and secure a lasting legacy for the sport.”
The Dundee East MSP added: “Many people will have been inspired by the exploits of Eve’s and David’s teams in Sochi and it is crucial that we have the infrastructure in place to help those starting out in curling realise their dreams of performing on the world’s stage.”
Councillor John Hendry, who leads sports development strategy for Stirling Council, said: “We look forward to progressing our discussions about this and completing the business case to develop curling and other additional facilities at the Sports Village.”
Stewart Harris, sport-scotland chief executive, added: “Now is the time to capitalise on the surge of interest in curling, and we’re delighted to be working in such close partnership with Stirling Council to help them further enhance the excellent facilities at Stirling.”
RCCC chief executive Bruce Crawford said: “We are working closely with the partners and bringing us all under one roof would be a great advantage for the sport at all levels.”
ParalympicsGB curling skip Aileen Neilson, who was at The PEAK on Friday as part of the ParalympicsGB training camp ahead of next month’s games, said: “After last week’s success, this nnouncement could not have come at a better time.”