Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Press Release
15th December 2009
Slàinte Mhath From Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar!
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is encouraging people in the Western Isles to kick start 2010 with a new healthy and active lifestyle. Following the over indulgences of the Festive period, January is the month often associated with a change in lifestyle and the Comhairle have chosen the month to launch their new scheme designed to encourage the use of Sports Centres from the Butt to Barra. The ‘Slàinte Mhath’ (‘Good Health’) initiative is a Council funded-scheme which will mean that a family can pay £20 a month for unlimited use of all sport centre facilities whilst it will be £15 for individuals to take part in the scheme. There will also be concessionary rates for those on benefits.
The scheme, which will come into operation in January 2010, will operate on payment by Direct Debit and all users will need a ‘smartcard’ to access the scheme. For those aged between 11 and 25 their ‘Young Scot’ card can be used for access whilst the over 60’s can use their National Entitlement card. Those in the age bracket in between 26-59 should contact their local sports centre to join the scheme. A Council application form and a Direct Debit mandate will be available from Sports Centres across the Islands from January onwards.
Chair of Sustainable Development Committee, Councillor Archie Campbell said: “I am delighted that this scheme is ready to be launched. The Comhairle has invested a substantial amount into the islands’ sports facilities and the next step is for us to increase the amount of people making use of them.
We are all aware of the benefits of regular exercise to our general health and well being and the fact that it is now better value to make use of the sports centre facilities in the Islands will hopefully attract more people to make use of them and improve their health. I wish the scheme every success”
The scheme has also been endorsed by Liz McColgan who, amongst other achievements, won gold in the 1991 World Championship 10,000m and in 1996 was the worthy recipient of the gold medal in the London Marathon: “I think it is fantastic that the Western Isles are leading the way with the introduction of cheaper access for families and individuals to council sports facilities across the islands.
As a nation we are seeing fewer kids involved in sports and the best way to encourage them to be fit and healthy starts at home. This initiative is a great way to encourage the entire family to exercise. I would love to see councils introduce schemes like this across the country. Well done to the Western Isles for leading the way."
‘Slàinte Mhath’ bho Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar!
Tha Comhairle nan Eilean Siar a’ toirt misneachd do mhuinntir nan Eilean Siar tòiseachadh air 2010 le dòigh-beatha ùr, fallainn agus beòthail. As dèidh cus ith agus òl aig àm na Nollaig sa Bhliadhn’ Ùr, bidh daoine tric a’ smaoineachadh air an dòigh-beatha aca atharrachadh san Fhaoilleach, agus mar sin thagh a’ Chomhairle an Fhaoilleach airson an iomairt ùr a mhisnicheas daoine gu Ionadan Spòrs bho Nis gu Barraigh a’ chleachdadh. Tha an iomairt “Slàinte Mhath” air taic fhaighinn bhon Chomhairle a tha a’ ciallachadh gu faigh teaghlach air goireasan spòrs na Comhairle a’ chleachdadh cho tric ‘s a tha iad ag iarraidh airson £20 sa mìos, agus £15 do gach neach fa leth. Cuideachd bidh cìsean sònraichte ann do dhaoine a tha air sochairean.
Tòisichidh an sgeama anns an Fhaoilleach 2010 agus feumar goireas Direct Debit a’ stèidheachadh airson na buannachdan fhaighinn, agus feumaidh gach neach “smartcard” a bhith aca. Faodaidh daoine eadar 11 agus 25 an cairt “Young Scot” a chleachdadh agus ’s urrainn do dhaoine a tha nas sine na trì fichead cairt ‘Còirichean Nàiseanta a chleachdadh.
Thuirt Cathraiche Comataidh Leasachadh Seasmhach, an Comhairliche Eàirdsidh Caimbeul: “Tha mi air leth toilichte gu bheil an sgeama deiseil airson fhoillseachadh. Tha a’ Chomhairle air an mòran maoineachaidh a chur ri goireasan spòrs nan eilean agus ‘s e an ath cheum meudachadh a thoirt air an àireamh de dhaoine a tha gan cleachdadh. Tha sinn uile mothachail air na buannachdan a tha aig eacarsaich air ar slàinte agus tha e a-nis nas saoire do daoine na h-ionadan spòrs againn a’ chleachdadh. Tha mi gu mòr an dòchas gum bi an sgeama seo soirbheachail dha rìreabh”.
Tha an sgeama cuideachd air taic fhaighinn bho Liz McColgan, a bhuannaich bonn òr an 10,000m aig Farpaisean Lùth-chleasachd na Cruinne ann a 1991 agus cuideachd a bhuannaich Marathon Lunainn ann an 1996: “Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gur e rud mìorbhaileach a tha ann gu bheil na h-Eileanan an Iar air thoiseach ann a bhith a’ cruthachadh sgeama den t-seòrsa seo agus gu bheil e a-nise nas saoire do theaghlaichean agus daoine a bhith a’ frithealadh Ionadan Spòrs nan Eilean. Mar rìoghachd, tha sinn mothachail gu bheil an àireamh de dhaoine òg a tha a’ gabhail pàirt ann an spòrs air sìor thuiteam agus ‘s ann aig an taigh a dh’ fheumas slàinte agus fallainneanchd tòiseachadh. ‘S e dòigh air leth math a tha seo brosnachadh a thoirt don teaghlach air fad. Tha mi an dòchas gum faic sinn iomairtean mar seo a’ leantainn air feadh na dùthcha. Meala-naidheachd air na h- Eileanan an Iar a’ toirt stiùir dhuinn uile!.”
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Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 822622 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk
Ruairidh Maciver
Communications Assistant
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 822615 (Work)
Tel: 07881 774601 (Mobile)
email: ruairidh.maciver@cne-siar.gov.uk
