Published:
The Minister for Sport, Jamie Hepburn MSP, has performed the ground breaking ceremony for Oriam, Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre, at Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh Campus.
This multi-sport facility will equip Scotland’s top athletes with the necessary resources to compete on an international level, as well as inspire generations to come.
The £33m multi-sport Centre is designed to provide Scotland’s top sportsmen and women with the facilities, programmes and services for them to excel on an international stage, but will also be open to the wider public, inspiring future generations of Scots to aim for sporting excellence.
It will include a full-sized indoor pitch with seating for 500, top-level grass and synthetic outdoor pitches, a high performance strength and conditioning centre, a high performance medical centre and hydrotherapy pool, fitness centres and studios and support services.
The Minister was accompanied by Professor Julian Jones, Acting Principal of Heriot-Watt, Chair of sportscotland Louise Martin and representatives of Oriam’s partners, funders and stakeholders, as well as Grant Gilchrist, Vice-Captain of Edinburgh Rugby, Robert Snodgrass, Scotland A Squad National Player currently playing for Hull City, and Lynne Beattie, indoor and beach volleyball national player and Regional Development Officer of the Scottish Volleyball Association.
Inspiring generations to come
Minister for Sport Jamie Hepburn said, “I am delighted to be part of the ground breaking ceremony at Scotland’s new Sports Performance Centre. This multi-sport facility will equip Scotland’s top athletes with the necessary resources to compete on an international level, as well as inspire generations to come.
“This is another excellent example of the legacy of the Commonwealth Games. There is already a significant Games legacy embedded in Scotland, and initiatives such as this will mean our sports men and women of today and tomorrow will continue to benefit from the Games.”
We were delighted when our vision for Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre was chosen as the winning bid. Now that vision is becoming a reality.
Professor Julian Jones said, “We were delighted when our vision for Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre was chosen as the winning bid. Now that vision is becoming a reality.
“We believe that Oriam and all that it will offer to key athletes and the wider sporting public will strengthen Scotland’s sporting credentials and help to put the country firmly on the international sports stage.”
Chair of sportscotland Louise Martin CBE said, “This is an extremely exciting milestone for Oriam, Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre. Scotland’s sporting facilities are the best they have ever been and this world-class addition will contribute enormously to the performance system and provide terrific community access to those living in and around Edinburgh.
“Oriam will facilitate sporting excellence in Scotland by helping our performance athletes develop and maximise their talents across many sports, supported by performance experts and sports scientists.”
The ceremony also launched Oriam’s new name and brand, with a vision of Scotland’s future as a dominating force in world sport and a mission to enable athletes to reach their fullest potential and to grow the nation through sport.
Oriam is scheduled for completion in summer 2016. For further details of the project you can visit: www.oriamscotland.com
“The Centre will provide an excellent national home to the next generation of top athletes and those involved in helping them achieve their aims, but crucially it will also support local rising stars and those who are still developing a passion for sport. The community and local sport groups will be able to take advantage of this world-class facility on their doorstep, making the ground-breaking a hugely exciting event for the whole area.”
It is great news for sport in Scotland that the building work for this excellent facility is now underway. Scottish Rugby is grateful to Heriot-Watt and other partners for the consideration and delivery of its specific requirements within the Centre. We are confident it will be a real asset in helping our senior teams prepare for competition on the world stage."
The National Performance Centre is the crown jewel of the Scottish FA’s performance strategy. Today is a huge step towards the realisation of this exciting vision for the national game. We are proud to work with Heriot-Watt and our other partners to provide a world-class facility that will benefit Scottish football, Scottish sport and the country as a whole by providing a centre of excellence that will inspire future generations of elite sportsmen and women.
The 17,139m2 Centre includes:
- Full Sized Indoor Pitch with 500 spectator seating
- Upgraded Grass and Synthetic Pitches
- High Performance Strength and Conditioning Centre
- High Performance Medical Centre and Hydrotherapy Pool
- Large Public Fitness Centre
- Two Fitness Studios
- 12 Court Sports Hall with 300 spectator seating
- Restaurant and Private Dining Area
- Meeting Rooms
Funding partnership
- Heriot-Watt University
- The Scottish Government
- sportscotland
- The City of Edinburgh Council
Sports
- Scottish Football Association
- Scottish Rugby Union
- Scottish Basketball
- Scottish Volleyball
- Scottish Handball
- Scottish Squash and Racketball
Design
Reaich and Hall Architects
Construction
Bowmer and Kirkland