Statement from “Save Cumbrae National Watersports Centre” Campaign

The saddening and alarming news that Sportscotland have put into place plans to close Scotland’s only National Watersports Centre on Cumbrae broke recently. As a community, we have been deeply upset by this plan, which will impact not only on our island but on Scotland more widely. Our campaign is only 12 hours old and has already garnered the support of more than 650 people. However, we need the support now of the politicians and decision-makers who have the power to prevent this decision.

Although it is early days in our campaign, we are committed to formulating a strategy to ensure that this closure cannot go ahead, and to preserve this important facility for generations to come. At a time when Health and Wellbeing is a main agenda item in politics and schools, it seems counter-intuitive to shut down a sector-leading and one-of-a-kind facility that Sportscotland itself lauds for its comprehensive professional yachting and instructor courses. 

Every year sees the facility used by school pupils from across Scotland, learning the basics of kayaking, windsurfing and sailing. Olympians have also wet their feet in the sea at Cumbrae. Whilst Sportscotland seem willing to continue their investment in sailing, they have not shown the same commitment to other sports. Furthermore, closure of the existing centre would mean less young people having the opportunity to participate in paddlesports, dinghy sailing or powerboating. 

We believe that the proposals to create a new sailing academy in Largs are short-sighted and do not fully cater for the needs of Scotland’s emerging sportspersons or indeed in achieving the sportscotland objective of promoting participation in sport. There is also the additional danger of job losses. The facility is one of the top employers in Cumbrae, with 15 permanent staff plus many casual workers, and its closure would be yet another threat to our fragile island community.

At this early stage, people interested in supporting our campaign can get in touch via our facebook page “Save Cumbrae National Watersports Centre” or can contact us directly via email savecumbraenationalwatersports@gmail.com