SCOTLAND’S world cup star Erin Cuthbert has opened Irvine’s newest sports facility, The Circuit

The Scottish Women’s National Team player officially unveiled the brand new £5.4m sports facility in Quarry Road last week

Irvine-born footballer Erin was joined by Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council and officials from the Scottish Government, KA Leisure, SFA and Ashleigh Construction at the grand unveiling last Monday.

Guests were invited to take a tour of the new facilities which includes a full-size 3G outdoor pitch for football, a 9 a-side 3G indoor pitch to allow all-weather training and a 750m closed cycle loop. During the tour, the party got to see a Street League team which supports unemployed local young people in developing life skills to get them ready for work.

The facilities were completed in August and have been used by local groups with very positive feedback.

The high-class cycling facilities are complemented by the new Active Travel Hub which opened earlier this summer and offers travel advice and bike hire at The Trinity, and training opportunities at the Circuit closed cycle loop.

Within the same facility is the Circuit Enterprise Hub. This is an incubation facility for small local businesses who aspire to grow and take on their own premises within a 12-month period. It offers subsidised office accommodation for up to 12 new and ambitious early-stage growth businesses with access to business support through the Council’s Business Team that are located in the new offices.

The name the Circuit came from consultation with schools, community groups and staff and reflects the site’s former use as a dog track and new use as a sporting venue. The business team also liked the name as they regularly have sparks of ideas – leading us again to circuits but this time of the electrical variety.

The facility was funded by a contribution from the Council, and with almost half of the funding coming from other sources including the Scottish Government Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, European Regional Development Fund and the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.

Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of the Council, said: “I would like to thank Erin for taking the time of our her busy schedule to open the Circuit. She is a great example to young people and has been a credit to the area with her success on the pitch and her work in the media off the pitch. She has been a big part of the growth in the women’s game we have seen in recent years and with facilities like these that is something we can play a part in developing further.”

To book the new sporting facilties call KA Leisure on 01294 315133.

To find out more about the incubation space call 01294 449944 or email business@north-ayrshire.gov.uk