Big ask begins for space hub
Kinross bid needs financial backing
A funding drive to build a £10m space centre in Kinrossshire will be launched this weekend.
Former glider pilot Alisdair Stewart is hoping to build Aero Space Kinross (Ask) in a vacant plot on the outskirts of the town.
Ask promises to be a major tourist attraction, telling the story and science behind flight and space exploration, and expects to bring 60,000 visitors to the area each year.
The initial plans include a fullyimmersive 3D planetarium and a flight motion simulator, as well as a restaurant and cafe, providing jobs for 40 people.
Ask will now launch a funding drive this weekend, and are asking members of the public to invest in their plans with incentives such as free membership. They are looking to raise between £25,000 and £475,000 from community backing alone.
A spokesperson for the project said: “To make Ask a reality, we’ll need to raise around £10m to buy the land and build the venue on one of the two sites we’ve identified as suitable to meet our vision.
“A big part of making this happen is securing some economic growth grants provided from public funds, as well as a much bigger community share issue and some loan finance too.
“The volunteer team who have proven that Ask is feasible now need to bring in full-time staff to deliver this critical phase.
“To that end, we are turning to the people who believe in our vision and want Ask to become a reality.
“People who invest will not only give is the money we need, but will also demonstrate strong public support for what we’re doing which will be just as critical as the finance, if not more so.”
The campaign will launch this weekend with a Facebook video from TV personality Carol Vorderman, with follow-up clips posted to social media every day next week from other backers, including Kinross High’s headteacher Sarah Brown.
The campaign will run for seven weeks until Sunday, June 30.
The team behind Aero Space Kinross will also apply for funding from other sources, such as the Big Lottery Fund and Scottish Land Fund, and hope to secure money from the Tay Cities Deal.
TV personality Carol Vorderman, pictured at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, will launch the campaign this weekend