Latest news with #ThePEAK
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Stirling volunteer scoops two top prizes after more than 200 hours giving back
Teenager Ellie Hodge picked up two prizes at the Young Scot Awards after her contributions to Active Stirling. A Stirling teenager who has volunteered more than 200 hours for a local sporting organisation picked up a pair of top prizes for her efforts this week. Ellie Hodge, 16, is a dedicated volunteer for Active Stirling and was nominated for two gongs at the Young Scot Awards 2025 held in Glasgow on Monday evening after being shortlisted from more 400 nominees all over the country. Her nomination praised her passion for making sport and physical activity, with Ellie put forward for the Health and Wellbeing Award at the glittering ceremony at the city's Platform venue. She walked away with that prize - but more was to come later on as she was also named the overall Young Scot of the Year. Ellie said: 'I still can't believe I won! Volunteering with Active Stirling has given me so many opportunities to learn, grow, and meet incredible people. 'I've gained so much confidence and I love helping to make sport accessible for everyone. It means so much to be recognised at the Young Scot Awards.' Ellie recently joined Active Stirling as a relief ice guard, but still plans to keep up her volunteering commitments during the school holidays. Among those commitments have seen the teenager support a wide range of programmes including The PEAK holiday camps, Health Walks, Bikes Without Barriers, SportAbility and Inspire Stirling. She has also completed specialist training in autism awareness, disability in sport, and sighted guiding. Ellie was presented with the award on the night by the Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise, Natalie Don-Innes MSP. First Minister John Swinney shared a message of congratulations with the teenager, saying: 'Ellie is the embodiment of resilience, kindness and leadership. 'Her work supporting others, particularly those with additional needs, is not only inspiring but deeply impactful. She is a shining example of how Scotland's young people are changing lives and building stronger communities. 'Congratulations to the finalists and to young people from every corner of Scotland. 'Thank you for what you are doing to help your communities, for your dedication, your enthusiasm and for going above and beyond to make Scotland the place we want it to be – a place of connection, kindness and compassion.' Natalie Wilson, Employability & Volunteer Officer at Active Stirling, said: 'Ellie is an extraordinary young person. 'Her passion, kindness, and commitment to helping others truly stand out. We're so proud of her achievements and are delighted to see her journey progress from volunteering to employment with us. 'She is a fantastic role model for other young people in Stirling and beyond.'
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.
