Plans for a world-class sports facility which could create a new generation of Highland athletes have been backed by one of the region’s Rio hopefuls.
Cyclist David Smith, from Aviemore, said proposals for a £23.1million centre in Inverness – including a velodrome – were a “must” for the Highlands.
And he said that the facilities could prevent top athletes like himself leaving the north and north-east to pursue their sporting careers.
The proposals will be discussed by Highland councillors on Thursday after a report by consultants Porteous Leisure recommended that the multimillion-pound centre should also include indoor athletics, gymnastics, judo and tennis.
Mr Smith, who is currently based at the Manchester velodrome where he is training with British Cycling, said: “I think it is must for the Highlands. The population is growing all the time so to have these facilities on the doorstep means they would be well used.”
He is bidding for a place in the Paralympic team competing in Rio next year.
Mr Smith, who won a gold medal as part of the mixed cox four during the London Paralympics, added: “I have to travel and all the guys in Highland have to go to Glasgow to use the velodrome there.
“All the villages, including Moray and Aberdeenshire, would benefit. I am 100% behind this.”
Highland councillors have already committed to enhancing sporting facilities in Inverness as part of the West Link road project.
But while they originally proposed a standalone complex at Torvean, including football pitches, Porteous Leisure has said that the centre should be at the Bught, where Inverness’s main leisure centre and swimming pool is already based.
This is a cheaper option because staffing costs would be shared with the existing leisure centre. Running costs for a Torvean centre would also be much higher.
The velodrome, with a 250metre track could even host concerts and conferences for up to 2,500 people – many more than any current venue in Highlands.
However, building at the Bught would mean the busy camping site would have to be relocated.
The consultants have suggested that the agency could give up to £7million in funding for the scheme, with other sports bodies, such as the Lawn Tennis Association.
The council has also included the project in their package of projects for the City Deal.