Home   News   Article

State-of-the-art base for women's football set to go ahead after Highland Council agreed a community asset transfer of unused playing fields next to Inverness Royal Academy to Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Trust on a 25-year lease agreement


By Scott Maclennan

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
The fields and Inverness Royal Academy which will become a hub for women's football in the city.
The fields and Inverness Royal Academy which will become a hub for women's football in the city.

Highland Council has agreed to lease eight acres of disused playing fields beside Inverness Royal Academy to Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Trust.

The Trust will work with the club and the Scottish Football Association and SportScotland to develop the fields into a state-of-the-art base for the women’s team as well as others.

The plans were first tabled in March where proposals included a literally a “game-changing” investment of between £1 and £2 million in a mecca for women’s and community football in the Highlands.

Related Stories:

The move was decided at a full meeting of Highland Council last evening and will see the Trust pay a nominal sum – usually £1 – a year for the 25 year lease.

The local authority accepted that it would lose the estimated rent of the site of £25,000 a year but recognised there is “no plausible demand” for it if it was offered on the open market.

The leader of Highland Council, Raymond Bremner, said: “We welcome the community asset transfer to Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Development Trust as it offers an opportunity to improve and develop the playing field and facilities that will benefit both Inverness Royal Academy pupils and the wider community.

"The proposal includes development of apprenticeships, training and support opportunities for disadvantaged young people and clearly demonstrates the benefits associated with community transfer. It aligns with both Council and community priorities for regeneration, health and wellbeing in the local area.”

While economy and infrastructure committee chairman, Cllr Ken Gowans added: “The Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Development Trust proposed plans include working in partnership with Scottish Football Association, SportScotland, Inverness Caledonian Football Club and other funding bodies to make positive use of land that requires investment and enable the pitches to be utilised once again for sports and diversionary activities.

“The proposed development could offer the opportunity to develop modern fit for purpose sporting facilities, reducing barriers to allow more people to benefit from sport by either taking part or supporting through community participation.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More