FUNDING AGREED FOR NEWMILNS SNOW AND SPORTS COMPLEX

Tuesday, October 05, 2004   [this news item courtesy of East Ayrshire Council’s Web Site]

East Ayrshire Council has agreed to award £40,000 of match funding to the Newmilns Snow and Sports Complex (NSASC) to enable the Newmilns Dry Ski Slope to be retained and developed and to provide further sport and leisure facilities in the surrounding area.

The Newmilns Snow and Sports Complex organisation developed a business plan in 2001 and had a comprehensive feasibility study carried out on the proposed project in Newmilns. It found that in order to proceed, the project required a total funding package of £103,500. The group will be contributing £10,000 of its own money which was raised through the fundraising activities of the Friends of Newmilns Ski Slope group, and £8,500 has been secured via the Local Action Fund. The group has also successfully secured £45,000 of external funding from SCORE Environment (£15,000) and the West of Scotland Loan Fund (£30,000). The Council’s Department of Neighbourhood Services carried out an assessment of the match fund application and suggested that a match fund of £40,000 be awarded to the group. The funding is subject to the project proceeding with its work by the end of March 2005.

Councillor James Carmichael, Chair of the Community Services Committee, said: “Having this funding confirmed will now allow the ski slope to begin its development work and ultimately start generating its own revenue. This unique facility could have real benefits for all East Ayrshire residents, and in particular, young people aged between 12 and 18 years; talented young athletes and young people hoping to become sports leaders. I wish the group every success for the future and look forward to work beginning on this exciting sports project.”

Local member Councillor Harry Wilson added: “It was with great pride I took the opportunity to thank the Council for their £40,000 match funding and the help and support given to the project. The sustained enthusiasm of the NSASC members and ski-slope supporters throughout the years of the project’s development has been remarkable. The phoenix has arisen!”