This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Watersports Centre splashes out on new facilities
20/08/1999
Scottish excellence in watersports received a further boost today when Deputy Minister for Sport Rhona Brankin opened £200,000 new facilities, including a 'wet' lecture theatre, at the National Watersports Centre on the island of Cumbrae.
The centre at Cumbrae is one of the three national centres for sporting excellence in Scotland and provides training for sailing instructors and a national base for sea kayaking and scuba diving. It will form a vital element of the new Scottish Sailing Institute at Largs.
Rhona Brankin said:
"Scotland has a reputation for producing great sailors and the training facilities at Cumbrae can only enhance this. Cumbrae has already given rise to success stories in sailing and I hope that many of the athletes currently training here go on to compete in the Olympics in Sydney next year.
"This centre, however, is not only about pursuing excellence for our top sports men and women, it is also about increasing access to watersports. Everyone, the young, old and people with disabilities should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of going out on the water. This centre caters for all and these additional facilites will increase accessibility for disabled sailors in addition to upgrading and expanding changing facilities, seminar rooms, stores and providing a "wet" lecture theatre.
"We all want Scotland to be a successful sporting nation - the Cumbrae National Watersports Centre is a key part of the infrastructure we need to put in place to make that aim a reality."
News Release: SE0362/99
20 August, 1999