Completion of the new community facility at Lionel is now expected early next year.
With the external structure of the £2M complex now largely in place, and mechanical and electrical services being installed, the design team is confident that an opening date in January or February can safely be predicted. But as with all major projects – and spòrsnis is the largest and most complex building contract ever awarded in Ness – there could be delays. However the spòrsnis committee will continue to monitor progress and intends to have regular updates in fios and on the new website www.sporsnis.co.uk.
A public meeting will be held in Lionel School on Monday 27 June at 8pm, where a presentation will be made to give everyone a preview of what will be on offer. The committee encourages all potential users of the facility including community groups to come along to the presentation and contribute their views particularly on the preferred use of some of the rooms and spaces allocated for child care and life long learning.
The committee is now engaged in finalising the specifications for some of the main leisure equipment. The £50,000 roller bowl package has been ordered from the leading supplier, Brunswick, and negotiations are in progress with Technogym UK to supply top quality units for the fitness suite. Each piece of gym equipment will be fitted with a TV monitor to ensure we can all get fit but not miss out on the latest instalment of our favourite soap. A £6000 sauna unit is to be supplied by Nordic Saunas. The logistics of running the centre once it opens is also being considered with visits planned to other similar community facilities next month. Fund raising to ensure the centre will be fitted out with the many pieces of furniture and equipment required continues.
The recent raffle raised about £2500 and the local Army Cadets contributed £200 from their sponsored walk in May. Spòrsnis Chairman, Calum Iain Macleod said: “The committee is grateful to all who supported the recent raffle and for the very generous prizes offered by the sponsors, Scottish Coop, Kenneth McLennan (Oils) and BP. We are also very thankful for the contribution from the cadets and for all who have supported the project over the past ten years.”
