Gigha has a thriving population of 170 residents and a current school and nursey roll of 19 children. However, the island has no sporting provisions. The island has many green spaces, however none of these are flat, dry, or accessible enough to enable football or any other sports to take place. The island has a Village Hall, however this is too small and ceilings are too low for sports to take place properly. There is no suitable space for after school activities to take place. Due to the islands location and ferry timetable, residents are unable to participate in sport and physical activity on the mainland. Our young people are deprived of social and sporting opportunities, and in order for the island community to be sustainable we need to retain our young people and encourage families to live and thrive on Gigha.

The Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust (IGHT) is working in partnership with the Gigha Parent Council and Live Argyll Active Schools and Sport Team to address this issue. The partners have been working together to establish whether there is demand for a sports facility. The Parent Council carried out a community survey and drop-in session which revealed 100% support for a Multi-use Games Area (MUGA) to be delivered. The consultation provided further feedback on the difficulties islanders have in engaging in community sport and physical activity due to the current limitations.

Following the consultation and discussion with partners, we are now progressing plans to deliver a MUGA. The MUGA would be a modest 5-a-side standard court size (36x18m) and positioned in a central and accessible location on the island which is within IGHT's ownership. The MUGA would have goals and nets included to enable a variety of sports to take place, including football, basketball and tennis, which the community consultation revealed to be the most desired activities. The pitch would have fencing and lighting to enable sports to take place in the darker winter months too.  

We are working with a professional sports facility designer, PSD Limited, to develop the project. A topography survey and site investigation has already taken place on the proposed location for the MUGA and a planning application has been submitted for approval: 23/01764/PP | Formation of multi games area and associated works | Land North West Of Gigha Hotel Ardminish Isle Of Gigha Argyll And Bute (argyll-bute.gov.uk)

A funding package has been developed to help deliver the project:

Funder	Amount	Type	Status
Robert Barr Charitable Trust	£10,000	Donation	Confirmed - May 2023
Sportscotland Facility Fund	£55,000	Grant	Confirmed - June 2023
Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust	£10,000	Donation	Confirmed - October 2023
Gigha Parent Council	£  5,000	Fundraising	Confirmed - January 2024
Garfield Weston Foundation	£20,000	Grant	Confirmed – April 2024
UKSPF Vibrant and Living Spaces Grant	£50,000	Grant	Confirmed – April 2024
	£150,000