Latest news with #ActiveStirling
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Stirling leisure centre to undergo £1.8 million revamp
The work at the PEAK will double the size of the current gym, alongside the creation of two large, purpose-built studios for group fitness. Work on a £1.8million transformation of The PEAK leisure centre is to begin in August. First announced last year, the redevelopment project will double the size of the current gym, alongside the creation of two large, purpose-built studios for group fitness. Owned by Stirling Council and operated by Active Stirling, a charitable leisure trust dedicated to delivering sport and physical activity services across Stirlingshire, The PEAK opened in 2009. Active Stirling, in partnership with Stirling Council, say the plans will deliver 'a new era of health, fitness and wellbeing opportunities for the Stirling community' and 'dramatically increase opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to lead active, connected, and healthy lives'. A spokesperson said: 'This is more than an expansion – it is a full transformation. 'The PEAK will evolve into an even more vibrant hub where people can come together to exercise, socialise, and prioritise their wellbeing. 'The new spaces will offer more classes, greater flexibility, and increased access for people to get involved in fitness, no matter their age, background, or ability.' The work will mean some disruption for groups who currently use the leisure centre. Matt Bunnell, Interim Chief Executive of Active Stirling, said: 'The PEAK Redevelopment Project marks a bold and exciting new chapter for Stirling. 'We are creating a space that truly meets the needs of our growing community – a place where everyone can find opportunities to improve their health, connect with others, and feel part of something special. 'Demand for our health and fitness facilities has never been higher, and this much-needed expansion will allow us to support even more people to be active, happy, and healthy. 'We fully appreciate that there will be temporary disruption for our valued sports hall users including sports clubs, sincerely thank them all in advance for their patience while the work is being carried out and we will assist in securing alternative venue accommodation during this period wherever possible. 'Amidst challenging financial times for the public sector, The PEAK Redevelopment will facilitate an operating model that can sustain and over time augment the myriad life changing and barrier breaking sport, physical activity and inclusion work Active Stirling expertly delivers throughout Stirlingshire. 'We are incredibly proud to be delivering this transformational project with Stirling Council for the people of Stirling.' Stirling Council Leader Councillor Gerry McGarvey said: 'This significant investment at The PEAK at a financially challenging time for local government underlines our ongoing commitment to change lives through sport and physical activity. 'These fantastic new facilities will enable Active Stirling to give people of all ages more opportunities to participate in a wide range of fitness activities at The PEAK and across our communities, improving health and wellbeing outcomes. 'We're really excited by this transformation, which will give Active Stirling the agility to deliver world-class leisure services in the future and support the delivery of a refreshed strategy for Sport, Physical Activity and Healthy Living in Stirling. 'Regular updates will be provided during the works by Active Stirling and any disruption will be minimised as much as possible for users. 'We thank them in advance for their patience and understanding.' When the project was announced in 2024, it was said to include two new fitness studios and a substantial increase in the size of the gym, doubling its current capacity. It was also said that the available sports hall space for hire would eventually reduce to six badminton sized courts, which Active Stirling said was necessary to accommodate the new fitness facilities. At that time, a spokesperson said: 'A variety of clubs and organisations book spaces in the sports hall at The Peak both regularly and occasionally. 'These are primarily sports and recreational activities such as basketball, netball and gymnastics. 'Active Stirling also delivers several programmes from the sports hall including court hire for members, PEAK Bounce and Parent Fit classes. 'We have notified sports hall users of the project and are meeting with clubs to support and identify opportunities to minimise impact where possible. 'Upon completion of the project The Peak will operate a six-court sports hall and so we anticipate that many of the sports hall users will be able to return.' In February 2024, Stirling Council considered and approved specific prudential borrowing of £1.821million to deliver The Peak redevelopment project. Borrowing costs will be funded by Active Stirling and not Stirling Council.
The Courier
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Courier
Sit-in protest after 'humiliated' mum told to stop breastfeeding at Stirling sports centre
A group of mothers have staged a sit-in demonstration at a Stirling sports centre after a woman was told she was not allowed to breastfeed. Nine parents brought their children to The Peak on Tuesday to raise awareness of the legislation protecting breastfeeding mothers. Under the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005, it is an offence to stop someone from feeding a child under the age of two in a public place. The mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, visited the Forthside Way sports centre last Thursday. While feeding her baby by the pool, a male member of staff told her husband she was not allowed to breastfeed. The family immediately left, and after complaining to The Peak, were told an investigation was underway. Active Stirling has since apologised and plan to ensure all staff are trained on upholding these rights. The mum-of-one described it as a 'humiliating' experience. She told The Courier: 'I was definitely quite shocked. I was embarrassed and ashamed. I felt like I'd done something wrong. 'It was in the view of other parents and babies and other children in their swimming lessons. 'Members of staff and observers in the viewing area could see too.' She also worries that such experiences could lead to new mothers becoming isolated and struggling with their mental health. Unsure if she was in the wrong, the woman turned to Forth Valley Breastfeeding Network. The group were 'upset' and informed her the law was on her side. Other mothers say they have previously breastfed in The Peak and there were no signs prohibiting breastfeeding in the pool area. However, another woman revealed she had experienced a similar situation at the sports centre. The group came together at The Peak to stop the stigmatisation of breastfeeding. Active Stirling's head of facilities met with the group and issued an apology to the mother. One parent at the sit-in told The Courier she felt 'angry' over the situation. She said: 'It's so wrong. You're allowed to feed your baby – it's the law. 'I'm here in solidarity. I was really angry that had happened.' An Active Stirling spokesperson said: 'Active Stirling would like to express our sincere regret and concern at the experience described by a valued customer in an incident which occurred on Thursday 8 May 2025. 'We are deeply sorry to hear of the upset and distress this incident has caused the customer to whom we have promptly and unreservedly apologised. 'We are committed to undertaking an immediate full and thorough investigation into our employee training and operating procedures around breastfeeding to ensure no similar such incident occurs again in the future. 'We fully acknowledge the legal rights of breastfeeding parents as protected by the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Equality Act 2010. 'We are entirely committed to upholding those rights, and we have always strived to be champions of inclusive, respectful, and supportive environments for all service users — especially breastfeeding mothers and young families.'
The National
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The National
SPFL club condemn vandalism and call on ‘real supporters' for help
The Scottish League Two club confirmed on Friday that toilets in the north end of the West Stand had been defaced with graffiti ahead of Saturday's match against Clyde. Although the facilities will remain open, neither the club nor stadium operators Active Stirling have the capacity to undertake repairs before the game. And they've had to apologise to any younger fans who may take offence to what has been written by the vandals. In a joint statement, the fourth-tier club and Active Stirling expressed regret and frustration over the incident, saying: "We are disappointed to report that the toilets in the north end of the West Stand have been vandalised. "Neither the Club nor Active Stirling has sufficient resource to carry out remedial work before tomorrow's William Hill League 2 fixture against Clyde. "The toilets are operational so will remain open but we apologise to anyone offended by the graffiti. If you are attending with children or are easily offended you may wish to use the facilities at the other end of the West Stand. Read more: "It's disappointing to find that yet again we are having to spend money on addressing issues caused by a tiny minority of supposed fans when we would rather be spending that money strengthening the playing squad. "Both Stirling Albion and Active Stirling condemn the actions of the people responsible. We will be monitoring the situation and anyone found to have been carrying out such actions will be reported to Police Scotland for criminal damage. "We would ask all real supporters who come across such behaviour to report any such instances to stewards or club officials so that we can take the appropriate action."
The Herald Scotland
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
SPFL club condemn vandalism and call on ‘real supporters' for help
Although the facilities will remain open, neither the club nor stadium operators Active Stirling have the capacity to undertake repairs before the game. And they've had to apologise to any younger fans who may take offence to what has been written by the vandals. In a joint statement, the fourth-tier club and Active Stirling expressed regret and frustration over the incident, saying: "We are disappointed to report that the toilets in the north end of the West Stand have been vandalised. "Neither the Club nor Active Stirling has sufficient resource to carry out remedial work before tomorrow's William Hill League 2 fixture against Clyde. "The toilets are operational so will remain open but we apologise to anyone offended by the graffiti. If you are attending with children or are easily offended you may wish to use the facilities at the other end of the West Stand. Read more: "It's disappointing to find that yet again we are having to spend money on addressing issues caused by a tiny minority of supposed fans when we would rather be spending that money strengthening the playing squad. "Both Stirling Albion and Active Stirling condemn the actions of the people responsible. We will be monitoring the situation and anyone found to have been carrying out such actions will be reported to Police Scotland for criminal damage. "We would ask all real supporters who come across such behaviour to report any such instances to stewards or club officials so that we can take the appropriate action."
