£1m fund launched to help communities run sport facilities in Scotland

The Scottish government has launched a new fund to help communities own and run their sport facilities.

The Legacy 2014 Sustainable Sport for Communities Fund will distribute up to £1m during 2014-16 to support the sustainability and capacity of aspiring and existing social enterprises delivering sport and physical activity in communities across Scotland.

The Sustainable Sport for Communities Fund is made up of an investment of £500,000 from the Scottish Government and £500,000 from The Robertson Trust.

The announcement of the fund, the 51st national Legacy 2014 programme linked to the Commonwealth Games, was made in the middle of Legacy Week, a national celebration of the long term benefits of the Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Glasgow later this year.

Minister for Commonwealth Games and sport, Shona Robison, said: "A legacy from the Games has to be long term improvements in levels of physical activity.

"There are an increasing number of social enterprises providing a wide range of community and social benefits and we are committed to empowering local groups and enabling them to operate facilities and deliver services

"Where groups are looking to take on the running or ownership of facilities, these ambitions must be supported by the local community backed up by a robust, sustainable business case. These are crucial to whether a social enterprise can succeed and the Fund will help with this, building on existing support available and utilising the sector?s expertise."