Dumfries and Galloway Council continued its commitment to empower communities and sports clubs in our region this week by agreeing a partnership agreement with Queen of the South FC for the King George V (KGV) Complex in Dumfries.
The creation of the KGV Community Sports Hub was agreed as part of the Council Budget proposals, which were agreed in February. The transfer of management responsibility at King George V is consistent with similar approaches being developed for sporting facilities and community buildings not only across our region but across Scotland. The Community Sports Hub model, which is endorsed nationally by sportscotland focuses on clubs and other local organisations working together to improve the sport offered in their local community. Sports Hubs have been established throughout our region, including in The Machars, Dalbeattie and Langholm.
Through a robust partnership agreement, Queen of the South as principal partner will have the opportunity to develop and improve the facilities on offer through dialogue and partnership with other user groups. The Council’s role is to work in partnership to support communities in delivering services and managing facilities.
The full size pitch, Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and gym can still be booked at very competitive prices by clubs and members of the public. Queen of the South will administer all bookings at the site, and existing staff will move over to be managed by Queens under TUPRE terms and conditions.
Chairman of the Council’s Community and Customer Services Committee, Councillor Tom McAughtrie welcomed the creation of the KGV Community Sports Hub. He commented;
“The creation of the KGV Sports Hub is superb news for all parties. It will allow Queen of the South the chance to develop the facility and will allow the local community greater access to the whole complex. I think people forget that the KGV has much more to offer than a full size artificial pitch – there is a superb gymnasium as well as tennis courts in the MUGA, which can double up for netball and 7 a-side football. Indeed the surface in the MUGA was reconditioned recently and is in excellent condition.
This is a wonderful facility and one which has stood the test of time. I am sure Queens will benefit from the facility in a similar way to clubs across the region have with other Sports Hubs that have been created. In giving our communities more responsibility, we are demonstrating our commitment to empowering the communities of Dumfries and Galloway as well as making savings as a Council, which is also a key benefit of the creation of the King George V Community Sports Hub.”
To find out more about the benefits of Community sports Hubs and how you can access one near you, please visit http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=14349. To discover what KGV has to offer see http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4132
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