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Scotland's sporting heroes of past, present and future were in Edinburgh today to join Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, at the official opening of Scotland's sports performance centre, Oriam.
Scotland's sporting facilities are now the best they have ever been and Oriam is the jewel in the crown of a range of new sports facilities up and down the country.
The £33 million world class sporting facility was delivered on time and on budget in August this year.
The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said, “I'm delighted to officially open the new Oriam National Performance Centre which is a fitting home for our current sporting heroes and for generations of future stars.
“Our top sportsmen and women deserve the facilities, programmes and services that will help them excel. That's why, in recent years, we have invested heavily in our sports infrastructure, including the £26 million we and sportscotland have invested towards Oriam.
“It's fantastic that as well as elite athletes, these world class facilities can also be used by people in the local community. Scotland's sporting facilities are now the best they have ever been and Oriam is the jewel in the crown of a range of new sports facilities up and down the country.”
The project was funded by £24 million from the Scottish Government and a combined £9 million from sportscotland, Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh City Council.
Oriam was developed to provide world class facilities, access and support services to partner sports, which include; the Scottish FA, Scottish Rugby, Basketball Scotland, Netball Scotland, Scottish Handball and Scottish Squash and Racquetball, as well as sportscotland Institute of Sport.
Catriona McAllister, Oriam's Chief Executive, said, “This has been an all-consuming project for more than four years. Throughout the planning and build, we worked tirelessly with our partner sports which will use Oriam as a training base, and other partners, to create a state of the art sporting facility. We believe Oriam will have a positive impact on the preparation and development of athletes, coaches and support staff, and inspire future generations to aim for sporting excellence.
“It's incredible to see the project now it is completed. We must thank the Scottish Government, sportscotland, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh City Council, our contractors Bowmer & Kirkland and our partner sports for the integral part they have played in the process.
“Every visitor to Oriam is blown away by its scope and scale. With our partners, we will work to drive both participation and national excellence. It is inspiring to walk the halls and see both community users and elite, world-class athletes striving to be the best they can be.”
Professor Richard A Williams, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, said, “This outstanding facility is the product of strong partnerships and great teamwork. Delivered on time and on budget it is a testament to the benefits of collaboration and we are proud to host Oriam and to have supported it financially.
“Serving Scotland's elite sportsmen and women as well as the local and University students and wider community, Oriam will help to position Scotland internationally and ties in closely with Heriot-Watt's global position and distinctive global outlook.”
World class facility, available for everyone
Athletes and representatives from key partners were in Edinburgh today to celebrate the official opening.
Chair of sportscotland, Mel Young, said, “At sportscotland we are building a world-class sporting facility for everyone and Oriam has a huge role to play in delivering on our ambition to make Scotland a more active nation.
“Oriam was designed to inspire everyone to be the best that they can be, at every level. Scotland's top athletes will benefit from the incredible facilities and expertise, giving them the best possible platform for success on the world stage. For the students here at Heriot-Watt University and the wider community, what better inspiration could there be to become more active than to train alongside their sporting heroes.
“Sports facilities in Scotland are now the best that they have ever been and what we have collectively delivered here at Oriam is simply outstanding. I am immensely proud that Scotland now has a sports performance centre that is, without doubt, world class.”
Councillor Richard Lewis, the City of Edinburgh Council's Culture and Sport convener, said, “Oriam 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 Edinburgh community and local sport groups will be able to take advantage of Oriam's world-class facilities, which I am sure will support and develop our aspiring athletes for generations to come.”