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Sports facilities funded by criminals cash
06/05/2009
Nearly £550,000 of criminals' cash is to be distributed to eight sports facilities projects in Scotland through the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme.
This brings the total investment in sports facilities to £2 million, following the announcement of the first 19 projects in February of this year.
This latest batch of projects includes a full size grass pitch on Bressay in the Shetland Islands, new changing facilities in Dundee and East Lothian and a training/seven-aside area in Aberfeldy.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:
"Through our CashBack for Communities scheme, over £12 million of crooks' cash has been invested in some of our most deprived communities to give young people more choices and chances.
"This latest funding will help improve public sports facilities for kids and teenagers, boost Scottish sport and help build better, healthier communities.
"From the Shetland Islands to East Lothian nearly 2000 youngsters will now have access to better football facilities.
"There is a very small minority of young people who get into trouble but the vast majority of our young people are a credit to their communities and we want to give them the chance to try new things.
"By funding improvements to sports facilities, CashBack for Communities is giving young people increased opportunities to participate in new activities and develop positive attitudes."
For the benefit of local news editors, here are details of the eight successful projects:
- Breadalbane Strathtay Youth Football Club and Amateur FC (Perth and Kinross): £65,990.00 - Development of training / seven a side area in Aberfeldy. New two team changing facility.
- Bressay Sports Club (Shetland Islands): £75,000 - Construction of a full-size grass sports pitch.
- Culter Youth FC (Aberdeen City): £89,000 - Construction of grass pitch at Crombie Park with floodlights and new two team changing facility.
- Dundee East Community Sports Club (Dundee): £40,000 - New four team changing facility with showers, toilets and referee changing.
- Dundee United Sports Club (Dundee): £50,000 - New four team changing facility with showers, toilets and referee changing.
- Dunoon Youth Football League (Argyll and Bute): £100,000 - New eight team changing facility with lockers, showers, toilets and reception area.
- East Lothian Council, in conjunction with Haddington Athletic (East Lothian): £100,000 - New two team changing facility with showers and toilets.
- Wick Academy FC (Highland): £27,455 - Club development container complete with mobile floodlights, generator, grass cutting machinery, goal posts and sports equipment.
The main aim of the £2 million funding for sports facilities part of the CashBack for Communities scheme, is to provide sports facilities in or around deprived communities with an emphasis on young people. This element of the scheme is administered by sportscotland, the national agency for sport.
All non-professional football clubs were advised of the funding available by the various national football associations - Scottish FA, SJFA, SWFA, SAFA and SYFA. While football will be the main beneficiary it is anticipated that other pitch sports will also gain from this investment.
The Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme is funded from the proceeds of crime. The ill-gotten gains of serious organised criminals are taken from them and reinvested in our communities to make a real difference to the lives of young people throughout Scotland.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has previously announced millions of pounds funding to support football, rugby and basketball activities for youngsters in every part of the country as well as support for youth projects and arts and culture projects. With more initiatives to come, the various strands of the scheme are already giving our young people the opportunity to realise their potential and be all they can be.