Kinross curlers delighted with new national academy decision

Nov 27 2009 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

CURLERS have praised councillors’ decision to back the creation of their sport’s new national headquarters south of Perth.

Interim Kinross Curling Trust chairman Bob Tait said the organisation’s members were delighted to hear Perth and Kinross Council had granted its outline planning application for new rinks, museum and offices at The Muirs in Kinross.

“This is major milestone in the project and allows the trust to move ahead to secure funding and to develop details,” Mr Tait told the PA yesterday.

“Close consultation will continue with local interests recognising the prominence of the site and the importance of the development for the town.”

The new ‘world-class’ facilities are due to be ready for action by September 2011.

Mr Tait said the council’s green light for the national academy had brought a hectic spell of fund-raising to a satisfactory conclusion.

“Founder membership launched in September has attracted 336 members who have donated around £9500 to the trust,” he said.

“These members are mainly local curlers interested in safeguarding their sport in the longer term and membership remains open.”

The trust’s first agm earlier this month saw 120 members attending in person, with a further 50 voting by proxy to elect six local trustees.

Bob Anderson (Boreland), Sheila Harley (Aberdour), Jamie Montgomery (Kinross), Mary Morgan (Orwell Ladies), Robin Niven (Delvine) and Willie Young (Orwell) were successful in the ballot.

Trustees appointed by the Royal Caledonian Curling Club were Colin Grahamslaw, Bob Kelly and Bob Tait.

Meanwhile, with activities on-going, volunteers have raised around £47,000 towards a local fund-raising target of £250,000 that was set last August.