Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre
Coordinates: 55°48′14″N 4°51′00″W / 55.804°N 4.850°W National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde is a sports training facility in Largs, North Ayrshire. It is the UK's first inclusive residential sports facility and caters for both elite athletes and the local community in a range of sports and activities.
Introduction
In 1956 the Scottish Council for Physical Recreation, the forerunner of the Scottish Sports Council, purchased the Hills Hotel in Largs. Lord Inverclyde was the president of the SCPR, whose vision it was to establish a 'home' for Scottish sport. When Inverclyde died in 1957, the SCPR decided to name their new national recreation centre in his memory.[1] It was opened by the Queen in 1958. Now part of the sportscotland Trust Company along with National Watersports Centre Cumbrae and National Outdoor Training Centre, Glenmore Lodge, it comprises grass pitches, floodlit all-weather surfaces, a 860m square fitness suite and physical preparation area, fully equipped meeting rooms - it also has 60 twin bedrooms and has been recently rebuilt with inclusivity in mind. Although its principal function is to provide a practice area or a base for elite athletes and teams, it is also open to the local community to become members of the fitness suite, attend classes or hire a court or pitch 7 days a week. Jose Mourinho and André Villas-Boas are examples of current football managers who obtained their coaching badges at the venue.
Redevelopment
National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde underwent a £12m redevelopment and opened in its current form in April 2017. It now offers inclusive facilities all under one roof and can cater for 120 wheelchair users in its residential facilities at any one time. The investment to rebuild Inverclyde came from the Scottish Government and sportscotland following the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
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