National Curling Academy to open

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A National Curling Academy is to be built in Kinross.

The decision was announced by the Board of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, who had shortlisted sites in Kinross and Ratho for the project.

The new academy will feature a six sheet curling rink, with full supporting facilities, offices, meeting rooms and a museum.

The club said they aimed to have the new facility up and running in time for the 2010/2011 season.

Jamie Montgomery who led the Kinross bid, described the news as "extremely exciting".

'Historic location'

He added: "'The local area has long had a strong curling tradition centred on Loch Leven and Kinross Curling Club is believed to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest club in the world.

"The prospect of a state-of-the-art curling facility in Kinross, catering for both local curlers and national elite squads, furthers our aspiration to become the genuine curling centre of Scotland."

Colin Grahamslaw, from the Royal Club, said the decision would help secure the sport's future.

He added: "Kinross's historic location makes this a perfect home for the National Curling Academy and we are please that this decision will also have the benefit of securing the future of curling in Kinross for the long term."

The new academy will be built on the proposed Market Park site in the heart of Kinross.

Funding for the project is expected to be a mix of public cash, trust funding, loans and donations from local curlers.