FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT
PRESS RELEASE
28 April 2021
Agreement signed to develop a new sports facility for the Falkland Islands
Tuesday 27 April saw the signing of an agreement between the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) and the Falkland Islands National Sports Council (NSC) to formally allow for the development of a brand new sports facility for the Falkland Islands.
The agreement signals the start of a two year project, led by the NSC, to design and deliver this exciting new facility for the Islands, which will be based at the old rugby pitch site off Bypass Road in Stanley.
The NSC will be working closely with local sports clubs to help scope the new facilities which are intended to complement those already provided at Stanley Leisure Centre (SLC), in order to increase opportunities for the community to get involved in a range of sports and leisure activities. The initial phase of the work will focus on the concept design for the new sports centre, and it is envisaged that this will include a bespoke new building devised to host a range of sports, as well as an all-weather football pitch.
The NSC will also engage the service of local engineers and contractors to develop plans for the physical delivery of the new facility. The Falkland Islands Government is investing £3m in the new facility, and will have a project governance role as part of the agreement.
Chair of the Falkland Islands NSC, Mike Summers, said: "This is an exciting time for grassroots sport in the Falkland Islands, to be able to develop facilities that reflect the demand from the community. The new all-weather pitch will enable outdoor sports to play and train on a safe surface that is available all year. It will also provide relief to the grass area in front of FICS, which can be repaired and developed for school sport and other outdoor activities. The new indoor area will provide proper playing space for larger team sports, and free up the SLC for smaller groups, particularly those which might attract new clients in support of the Public Health Strategy. This is truly a community project, which will benefit almost all sports in the Islands for generations; we look forward to working with a range of people and businesses to deliver the project."
MLA Stacy Bragger, Portfolio Lead for Sports, added: “I’m delighted that this project has now officially been given the green light and work can now begin in earnest to design and deliver a modern, purpose-built new community sports centre. As a small nation, people from outside the Islands are regularly surprised to learn about the diverse range of sports clubs and activities that we participate in, but it is something that is absolutely at the heart of our society. During the pandemic, our ability to continue enjoying the sports that we love has undoubtedly benefited everyone’s physical and mental health and, as the world slowly starts to open up again, I look forward to the time when our teams can train for tournaments and competitions outside of the Islands. Sport is one of the ways in which we showcase to the world what is special about our home and I hope that the new centre will include dedicated cabinet space for future silverware.”
****
ENDS