Guests and officials from throughout the island joined the north Lewis community on Friday the 25th July to celebrate the official opening of the new £2.1 million state-of-the-art spòrsnis facilities at Lionel School.
The opening ceremony was launched by Chairman of the spòrsnis committee, Calum Iain MacLeod. Outlining some of the key milestones, Mr MacLeod thanked the many individuals and companies who had supported the organisation over the years. He also highlighted the work that had been put into the centre over the past thirteen years by the committee members, finishing with thanks to the community of Ness for their patience and understanding.
Anne Macaulay from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Alex MacDonald, the Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, also gave speeches, summing up the achievement of the Ness community. The official part of the evening was concluded with school pupils from each of the three local schools, Catriona Rennie from Airidhantuim, Joseph Wilson from Lionel, and Katie MacDonald from Cross, unveiling a plaque in the Main Hall that commemorates the various individuals and organisations that have supported the spòrsnis project over the years.
In the evening a family ceilidh took place in the Main Hall which was well attended by the community. Entertainment was provided by the Ness Melodeon Band, the Eilean an Fhraoich Pipe Band, Oidhche Chiadain, Ceitlin Smith and Eilidh Maciver and the young sisters from Cross, Rachel and Kirsteen Macritchie.
