Peeblesshire News | Sport | Up and running for Centre of Excellence

Saturday, 11th October, 2008

Published: Friday, 2nd May, 2008 12:00

Up and running for Centre of Excellence

By David Knox

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PEEBLES is on track to finally have its own centre of sporting excellence.

But the race to a new all-weather pitch, larger sports hall and athletics track will be a marathon rather than a sprint.

Councillor Graham Garvie announced plans for a much-needed upgrade in facilities at Peebles High.

He told the Peeblessshire News: “We will be seeking planning permission for an extension to the current sports hall at the High School as well as constructing an all-weather facility and running track.

“Peebles is bursting at the seams yet we have facilities that are outdated and desperately needing replaced.

“It is early days but I, along with fellow councilors Neil Calvert and Catriona Bhatia, will be pushing this along as quickly as we can.”

Peebles High is the only secondary school in the Scottish Borders which can’t offer Higher Physical Education because its facilities are so poor.

Athletics coaching did take place within the school’s grounds but the long jump pit has been condemned for the past couple of years and the shot putt circle is broken.

Both hockey and football team have been asking for an all-weather playing surface for over a decade.

Sport Peebles was set up in a bid to attract new facilities to the region but the group eventually dropped the baton after several years of rejection.

And a lottery bid last year by athletics coaches Gregor and Linda Nicholson was turned down as it was deemed Scottish Borders Council should be coughing up for a track.

Gregor told us: “This is a great opportunity for everyone involved with sport to get together and back a bid for better facilities.

“I just hope that the promises aren’t political kite flying and they do have some substance.”

Pupils at the school have already campaigned at the Scottish

Parliament for cash to revamp their run-down sports field.

And they will meet with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games committee in a bid to attract funding.

Councillor Bhatia told us: “The students have highlighted to us that an all-weather pitch, a better games hall and other sports facilities are a priority at the school.

“We are committed to taking this forward within Scottish Borders Council.”

Funding for the facilities, including developer contribution money, will be investigated at the same time as a planning application is drawn up by council.

Councillor Calvert said: “We have to look how we can include this, or part of it, in the council’s capital funding programme.

“I don’t see why we can’t progress at least some of the facilities as quickly as we can.”

A recent report from Audit Scotland shows that Scottish Borders Council has moved off the foot of the local authority table for money spent on sport – but it still amongst the lowest.

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