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The new running track at Liniclate  will be officially opened this Saturday by Beth MacLeod, who represented Scotland on 68 occasions in rugby union and Mairi Levack, who is a founder member and lynchpin of North Uist Athletics Club.  

The official opening will be held before the start of the inaugural Uist and Barra Community Games.

The project which was funded by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and sportscotland will provide a sporting facility for a whole spectrum of users and it is hoped that the facility will be well utilised.  The track can be used for walking groups, those wishing to improve their fitness and agility for other sports as well as the variety of track and field events enjoyed by many:  

Councillor Archie Campbell, Chair of the Sustainable Development Committee at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar commented: “I am delighted that the facility at Liniclate is now fully operational.  The Comhairle continue in their commitment to providing quality accessible sports facilities and the additional funding made available by sportscotland enabled the progression of this project.

“I am confident that the facility will be a valuable asset within the Uist community and groups such as the vibrant North Uist Athletics Club, the Jog Scotland Groups and Comunn Spòrs a' Chinn a Deas will made full use of it".

Sportscotland Chief Executive, Stewart Harris said: “sportscotland has been able to provide technical advice and support for the project, along with an investment of £200,000.  The new facility will benefit the local community, schools and athletes by giving them the opportunity to participate or train in running, long-jump, triple-jump, shot putt, hammer and discus. The incorporated floodlights will allow all-year-round use of the track facilities as well as the existing football pitch."

The opening will commence at 10am with refreshments being served to invitees, and following some opening words from Councillor Campbell at 11am, the track will be officially opened and Beth and Mairi will start the warm-up lap for the first Community Games.  All in attendance will receive a commemorative medal.

Thèid an slighe-ruith aig Lionacleit a fosgladh gu h-oifigeil Di ahairne le Beth NicLeòid, a tha air Alba a riochdachadh 68 turas ann an rugbaidh agus Màiri Levack, a bha na ball bho thùs agus aig cridhe Cluba Lùth-chleasaichean Uibhist a Tuath.  

Thèid an fhosgladh oifigeil a chumail ro Geamannan Coimhearsnachd Uibhist is Bharraigh.  Chaidh a' phròiseact a' mhaoineachadh le Comhairle nan Eilean Siar agus sportscotland agus tha e a toirt goireas dhan choimhearsnachd air fad 's thathar an dòchas gun tèid a chleachdadh gu tric.

 'S urrainn do dh' iomadach buidheann an slighe a chleachdadh, a leithid buidhnean coiseachd, daoine a tha airson falainneachd a leasachadh airson spòrsan eile is na spòrsan a tha gu traidiseanta a gabhail àite air slighean-ruith.  

Thubhairt an Comhairliche Gilleasbaig Caimbeul, Cathraiche Comataidh Leasachadh Seasmhach Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar: "Tha mi cho toilichte gu bheil goireas Lionacleit a-nis deiseil.  Tha a' Chomhairle a leantainn ann a bhith a solarachadh goireasan spòrs ruigsinneach aig àrd ìre agus leig an airgead a bharrachd bho sportscotland don phròiseact a dhol air adhart.  

“Tha mi cinnteach gum bith an goireas seo luachmhor do choimhearsnachd Uibhist agus buidhnean a leithid Cluba Lùth-chleasaichean Uibhist a Tuath, Buidhnean Jog Scotland agus Comunn Spòrs a' Chinn a Deas."

Thuirt Àrd Oifigear sportscotland, Stiùbhart Harris: “'Tha sportscotland air comhairle teicnigeach is taic a thoirt don phròiseact, còmhla ri £200,000.  Bidh an goireas ùr seo na buannachd don choimhearsnachd, sgoiltean agus lùth-chleasaichean le bhith toirt dhaibh an cothrom a bhith a gabhail pàirt no treànadh ann an ruith, leam, tilgeadh shot, òrd agus discus.  Le na solais, faodar an goireas a chleachdadh fad na bliadhna."

Thèid an goireas a fosgladh aig 10m le teatha is cofaidh do dhaoine aig an robh cuireadh agus, an dèidh beagan fhacail bhon Chomhairliche Caimbeul aig 11m, thèid an slighe-ruith a fosgladh gu h-oifigeil agus ruithidh Beth is Màiri air thoiseach air càch timcheall air an t-slighe.  Gheibh gach neach an làthair bonn mar chuimhneachan.

Opening ceremony scheduled for new Lionacleit running track        7/6/10