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Work begins on water sports and tennis centres

Saskia Coulson Rowing crews at the Skiffie World Championships are out on the waters at Loch Ryan one of them with a Scottish flag flyingSaskia Coulson
It is hoped water sports can play a major part in helping to regenerate Stranraer

Work has started on two multi-million pound sports centres in the south of Scotland.

Young people from Stranraer gathered to mark construction beginning on a £6.7m water sports hub overlooking Loch Ryan.

John Fenwick, chairman of Stranraer Water Sports Association, said the project would "transform" what it could offer and also be a "major step forward" in the town's regeneration.

Work has also officially begun on a £2.4m regional tennis centre in Dumfries which will see the creation of a three-court facility at the King George V complex.

Pete Robinson A group of people line up behind a young boy with a spade cutting the turf on a new water sports centre for StranraerPete Robinson
Work officially started on the Stranraer centre on Wednesday

The Stranraer development hopes to transform the town's waterfront and establish the area as a major water sports destination.

It will include changing and showering facilities, class and meeting rooms, café and kitchen facilities, offices and open public spaces.

The project has been supported by a wide range of funders.

"After years of planning and hard work, and generous support from our funders, it's wonderful to see construction finally beginning on our new water sports hub," said Mr Fenwick.

"I'm especially pleased that young people from our community have helped mark the occasion."

A group of people in hard hats and wearing high visibility vests hold shovels in their hands while one of them has a tennis racquet with a large tennis ball on top of it
The Dumfries facility will see three indoor hard courts built

In Dumfries, the new tennis centre will see three hard courts and a raised viewing area, office space and accessible changing rooms constructed.

A major aim of the complex will be growing participation in the sport across all ages and abilities.

The region currently has 11 registered tennis clubs and close to 1,000 playing members.

The Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) investment manager Sophie Curthoys said the facility was much needed.

A blonde-haired woman in a dark padded jacket and a grey jumper stands in front of a playing field behind a fence
Sophie Curthoys from the LTA said youngsters currently had to travel to use indoor facilities

"We know in this area there are no indoor tennis courts at the moment that the community can access," she said.

"So it is really important that this facility is in place so that people can play tennis all year round.

"Currently if you are a young child and you are getting good at tennis you are having to travel to play more seriously to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

"So having this facility on the doorstep is really important to those people."