A NEW community hub in the Garnock Valley has been given a £100,000 funding boost to help provide accessible, low cost opportunities for communities to participate in sport and physical activity.

The Garnock New Visitor and Community Hub is one step closer to reality after it was awarded the cash from sportscotland’s sport facilities fund.

The new hub will be a community space, designed to encourage families to come along whether they are taking part in sport and physical activity, coaching, volunteering or simply as a way of staying connected.

Garnock Rugby Club, along with other sports clubs, will be at the heart of the hub and the new space will allow them to not only grow the sport, but further develop their reputation as a family club.

The hub will also allow an expansion of the visitor offer at the site, enabling a realisation of the site as a parkland destination with a wide sport and physical activity offer.

Councillor Joe Cullinane, leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “I am delighted to start the new year with sportscotland’s announcement for funding for our Garnock Hub project.

“The council is committed to improving the health of people across North Ayrshire, and this worthwhile project fully supports our aim. The funding towards this project will help provide a welcome boost to communities across the Garnock Valley and offer endless opportunities for local people to get involved in sport and physical activities.”

In total, £1,264,750 was shared between 15 projects across Scotland for clubs and communities, education establishments, or performance sport environments.

Priority was given to projects with a focus on increasing participation in sport and physical activity amongst young people, women and girls, disabled people, as well as deprived or rural communities.

Chief executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said: “The projects receiving funding demonstrate real ambition and commitment to improving the lives of their communities through sport and physical activity.

“I am delighted that we can support their work through this investment.”