Official opening of Tain Fitness Suite
Today (Wednesday 7 June, 2006) Tain Councillor, Alasdair Rhind, officially opened the town’s new £340,000 fitness suite at Tain Royal Academy Community Complex.
Boasting the latest Powerhouse Matrix range of CV equipment, including elliptical trainers, treadmills and Concept II rowing machines, as well as free weights, and 8 individual weight stations, the purpose built air-conditioned fitness suite is already proving to be a big hit with the 770 people who have already come for an induction.
The Suite is also being used for Active Referrals and, in partnership with the local health professionals, Tracy Faulds, TRACC’s Active Referral Programme Co-ordinator puts referrals through their paces and encourages this group to improve their own sense of wellbeing and prospects of recovery by introducing them to, and helping them to sustain, a programme of regular activity.
At the opening, after cutting a ribbon, Councillor Alasdair Rhind said: “This is an amazing addition to the community facilities at TRACC and we’re all very grateful to the funders who have enabled this development to take place. It is particularly good to know that the people of Tain now have first-class, all-weather, state-of-the art facilities right on their own doorstep and I know that the school and the community will make excellent use of them.”
Funding for the project came from The Highland Council, the Big Lottery Fund (£124,500), HIE Inverness and East Highland (£40,000) and Tain Common Good Fund (£40,000). The funding also enabled the completion of the Games Hall up-grade, as well as improvements to both wet and dry changing facilities.
Scotland Board Member of The Big Lottery Fund, David Campbell said: “The Big Lottery Fund has worked in partnership with The Highland Council to help create a wonderful facility for people of all ages and sporting abilities. It is always encouraging to see the difference that projects of this kind make to the lives of communities and to the regeneration of local areas. For young people, in particular, having a modern sporting facility at their school can make a huge difference to their energy and enthusiasm for physical exercise.”
Open seven days a week, the Fitness Suite has increased TRACC’s opportunity for day-time use. Originally only over 16 year olds were able to use the facility but recently, due to demand, a special four week ‘mini-muscle’ induction course has been introduced to enable 14 and 15 year olds to visit from 4.00 – 6.00 p.m. daily during term time, and during normal opening hours at weekends and during school holidays.”
Manager of TRACC Catherine Morgan said: “We are very pleased that people are making use of these excellent facilities to improve their fitness. At a recent HealthWays family challenge event held here we had 85 people taking part in the Row Loch Ness Challenge. Anyone is welcome to come along and see the suite but all new users must first telephone and book an induction session so they can be shown how to use all the equipment correctly.”
HIE Inverness and East Highland chief executive Stuart Black said: “We are pleased to support the development of such a fitness suite in Tain. The HIE network recognises the long-term economic and community benefits that participation in sport can bring, and we are keen to see the facility used to its full potential.”
The fitness suite is part of The Highland Council’s High Life Scheme which delivers unlimited access to Highland leisure facilities, including swimming, fitness classes, play-schemes for £19.99 per month for a family or £14.45 for an individual. Cardholders must present their cards at reception each time they visit.
For further information, to book an induction and to sign up to High Life contact TRACC on 01862 893767.