By Nick Butler

It is hoped the grant will help aspiring athletes of all ages in all parts of Scotland ©sportscotlandAthletes throughout Scotland are set to benefit from a £20 million ($34 million/€25 million) investment programme announced today by sportscotland in an early legacy boost ahead of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. 


Based on areas identified by the national agency for sport, the National and Regional Facilities Investment programme will prioritise areas requiring improvements, ensuring more athletes have access to high quality sports facilities and services.

Among these will be the Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh, built to host the 1970 Commonwealth Games but having since fallen into a dilapidated state of disrepair.

Sportscotland have confirmed that an as of yet unspecified "multi-million pound figure will go towards redevelopment" of the iconic athletics stadium.

The Regional Performance Centre in Dundee, regional facilities in Inverness and developments at The Peak in Stirling are three other projects that have already been specified. 

"We have capitalised on Glasgow 2014 by accelerating our plans for a world-class sporting system at every level thanks to National Lottery and Scottish Government funding," said sportscotland chief executive Stewart Harris. 

"Today's £20 million investment announcement is a significant milestone in delivering even more excellent sporting facilities for the people of Scotland and performance athletes to use.

"The standards of facilities in Scotland are the best they have ever been, and today we are outlining a new investment stream which will further enhance the existing network.

"The National and Regional Facilities Investment will provide more and better opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to take part in sport and physical activity."

The announcement comes shortly before the start of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, as the Queen's Baton Relay continues around Scotland ©Getty ImagesThe announcement comes shortly before the start of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, as the Queen's Baton Relay continues around Scotland
©Getty Images









It is hoped the new investment strand will result in "large multi-purpose sports facilities, which will enhance the existing network of national and regional sports facilities across Scotland".

These new facilities will be available for communities to use as well as performance athletes at regional and national levels, it was explained.

They will complement a number of centres of sporting excellence already in place across the country, including Aberdeen Sports Village, the Emirates Arena, Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, and the Tollcross Acquatics Centre in Glasgow.

In addition, Scotland's £30 million ($51 million/€37 million) National Performance Centre for Sport will be completed by 2016 at Edinburgh's Heriot-Watt University campus.

"Investing in new multi-purpose sports centres will open up even more opportunities for people to try new sports and lead healthier and more active lives," said the Scotland's Commonwealth Games and Sport Minister Shona Robison.

"Scotland already enjoys world-class facilities and with just days until the Commonwealth Games begin, this £20 million pound investment demonstrates our long term ambitions for sport.

"We are committed to making Scotland a healthier nation, from helping people of all ages to enjoy sport to supporting athletes to compete at the highest level.

"By working with local authorities and sporting bodies, the National and Regional Facilities Fund will create a lasting legacy from the Games for years to come."

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