A former international athlete has been nominated to lead the project to create a sports centre that could create a new generation of Moray athletes.
Kathryn Evans will steer the multimillion pound Moray Sports Centre project through funding, design and build stages, and will head up the team once it is finished.
The heptathlete said she was excited about the prospect of applying 20 years of experience to delivering the complex.
She said: “The aim is to bring as many sports and exercise facilities under one roof as we can, that’s an exciting challenge.
“It means we’ll be able to offer wide-ranging programmes promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles for all.
“The centre will facilitate sport at all levels and become a hub helping to build capacity and expertise in sport across Moray in areas like coaching, training, sports psychology and nutrition.
“I was so impressed by the Moray countryside and beaches, I decided to take the role after just one visit. I am very much looking forward to meeting Moray’s sports people over the next few weeks.”
Sandy Adam, chairman of local house builder Springfield Properties, is the driving force behind the project.
He said: “In Kathryn we have someone with vast experience of operating sports centres, delivering capital sports projects and taking part in sport.
“We need someone who can look at the project through the eyes of the customers and the operators to make sure we get it right at the design stage.
“And someone who has the experience to make a success of the centre once it’s open. Kathryn is that person.”
Involved in sports all her life, Ms Evans is a retired heptathlete, representing Wales on a number of occasions.
She is also a netball umpire and coach.
Her professional career has included management roles at the National Badminton Centre, the UK’s largest David Lloyd Centre and London’s Westway Sports Centre, where she was director of operations.
Over recent weeks Moray Sports Centre has been collecting more information from sports forums and representatives to help build a clearer picture of what is needed.
Work will now begin on funding applications and the design of the centre.