Let’s jump to it and raise £50k
Habbies need help to kit out new £1.3m hub
Track stars have urged sports fans to back plans for a state-ofthe-art indoor athletics centre in Renfrewshire.
Kilbarchan AAC has revealed it has raised funds to build the £1.3million allweather training hub.
It has appealed for help in raising a further £50,000 to kit out its interior.
Club runner Andrew Murphy, 24, has represented Scotland and Great Britain and says the facility is vital to bring on the next generation of competitors.
He said: “If you want to invest in athletics, you should invest in Kilbarchan AAC.
“Any help would be greatly appreciated.”
Kilbarchan AAC revealed proposals for the centre two years ago.
More than 4,000sqm of land has been earmarked for the arena on the grounds of Linwood’s On-X sports centre.
Bosses say it will provide year-round training facilities for thousands of athletes.
Plans include the creation of a 60m running track, with room for horizontal and vertical jumps, pole vault, a throwing cage and weights room.
Council chiefs have supported the drive by backing a land transfer to the club.
They also allocated £500,000 to support the development which will provide space for both elite and club runners across the region.
Kilbarchan AAC has more than 525 members, drawn from across Renfrewshire and beyond.
It currently uses the outdoor track and field facilities at the On-X.
Organisers say they need space to train throughout bad weather.
They have been using the sport centre’s indoor space, as well as nearby school gym halls.
But bosses say this is not practical in the long-term.
Work has already started to create the building. Extra cash is needed to buy equipment needed to bring it up to standard. Members have launched an online donations drive.
Organisers say support could see the centre opened by the end of the year. A spokesman added: “Our purpose for the crowdfunder is to raise enough funds to fully kit out our brand new complex that will be built for the end of 2019.
“By doing so we will be able to provide more equipment for our current athletes and future athletes.
“We would love for you to invest not only in us but also the future of athletics.
“As a club, and community, we have raised enough funds to build a magnificent indoor facility, but now we need your help to have it fully equipped.”
Kilbarchan AAC has produced a number of top athletes, including Olympic and Commonwealth Games stars.
Brothers Callum, 27, and Derek Hawkins, 30, started their careers with the club.
The younger became the first British runner to beat Sir Mo Farah, 34, in any race for seven years at the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country in 2017.
He also became the first British winner of the Great Scottish Run in 23 years and equalled the best performance ever by a British runner by finishing fourth in the men’s marathon at the 2017 World Championships.
Kerry MacAngus, 20, has represented Scotland on the track, running the 800m and 1500m.
She said: “Please help future generations from Kilbarchan by helping to kit out our indoor track.”
Scottish Athletics have identified the proposal as an important project.
Mark Munro, chief executive of the governing body, praised those supporting the work.
He said: “I think what they are doing is inspirational for the athletics community in Scotland.”
Visit http://bit.do/KilbarchanAAC.
We would love for you to invest not only in us but also the future of athletics