The Highland capital’s first indoor kart racing track is on track to be flagged off at the end of October.
Inverness Kart Raceway, which will include a heated viewing area and cafe, will be run by the Day 1 charity at Fairways golf complex.
Contractors McGregor Construction still have to lay the new tarmac track, which will be more than 330 yards long, as well as fitting crash barriers and pit lanes, electrics, drainage and ventilation.
Profits from the £1million karting venture will go into supporting Day 1’s work to help under privileged young people aged 15 and 16 to achieve their full potential by matching them with mentors for a year.
Day 1 was one of six Scottish charities in September 2014 to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Charity director Corrin Henderson said: “I want people to come into the kart track and really grasp that they are walking into a business belonging to an award-winning charity.
“During quiet times I also hope that we can use the cafe area as a community venue which will allow for communication between community leaders, be it the police or fire service, and young people.”
Last year seed funding of £15,000 was given to the charity from the LaunchMe fund set up by the Big Lottery Fund and Social Investment Scotland, intended to grow the social investment market in Scotland.
The Inverness kart track is one of 15 social enterprises across the country to benefit from the grant.
About £1million has been raised by the 10-year-old charity to build the arena.
A £350,000 grant came from Social Investment Scotland, as well as a £400,000 interest-bearing loan.
The local business community has also been engaged and about £10,000 has been raised so far.
Mr Henderson is now asking the public for feedback on a proposed scheme where a donation of £50 to the project would get a free ride on a kart and have their name stencilled on the ceiling.
He said: “If you are a local person and interested in motorsports and you walk in there with pals, you can point your name out and it shows that you are supporting a worthwhile cause, and you can get a taster of the track too.”
Mr Henderson’s ambitious plan has a dual purpose – to provide a secure income for Day 1 Mentoring and to help young people in the Highlands into employment.