North West Skye Recreational Association – NWSRA
Fit for Life in North West Skye
What is NWSRA all about?
NWSRA is working with people who live in North West Skye and with interested organisations to create and develop amenities for recreation and sport for everyone who lives here. We are working closely with local schools, local community trusts, local businesses, sports organisation and voluntary organisations to support this aim and have already secured significant support which we hope to match with further investment.
What is the need and what would the benefits be?
Nearly 2000 people live in North West Skye, in the communities of Edinbane, Waternish, Dunvegan, Glendale, Struan and Carbost. Whilst village halls, local primary schools and other groups provide fantastic support for these communities facilities for recreation and sport are underdeveloped. A recent community consultation recognised the negative impact that a lack of easily accessible facilities for recreation and sport is having on the community, particularly young people. The ideas which gained greatest support through the consultation included an all-weather multi-sports pitch, a youth café and drop-in centre, and an indoor sports facility. The benefits in terms of health, education and community cohesion were also recognised. In addition, with tourism a strong part of our local economy, investment in local recreational and sports facilities would also greatly enhance our local tourism offer and further strengthen the economy in the area.
What do we hope to achieve?
NWSRA is seeking to raise funds to develop a sports and recreation in Dunvegan to provide an all weather sports facility; indoor recreation and sports centre with changing rooms, showers, gym; meeting rooms and café facilities; and flexible facilities including on-line information to provide a focus for recreational group and visitor activities.
Development be modular and will be phased in as funding comes on line.
Our vision is to create an inspirational recreational centre which serves the communities of North West Skye and its visitors well. A place which is an exciting focal point for recreational activities, which is widely used and which contributes effectively to the health, education and well being of the people who live in these communities.
What has been achieved so far?
We’ve been busy:
- An interim Management Committee has been formed,
- A constitution prepared, and the formal arrangements for the Association put in place.
- A public meeting is being arranged to get local people involved in the association and to elect the Management Committee. This will take place at the Dunvegan Hall on the 12th November at 3pm to which all are welcome to attend.
- Murdo MacLeod has agreed to act as patron and Dave Thompson (MSP) has agreed to support
- The MacLeod estate working with the Roag Community has offered land for development and provided a letter of support
- Dunvegan Community Association has given a grant and is supporting the work of the project
- Struan, Edinbane and Glendale Community Trusts are also supporting the project
- Waternish Community Association have provided a letter of support
- Local schools and sports associations have been approach and will be directly involved in development of the project.