£175k target hit for Killin pump track

Community activists in Killin are celebrating this week after reaching their fundraising target for a £175,000 pump track project for the area-and gaining planning permission.

- KAIYA MARJORIBANKS

Killin Sports and Recreation Hub, established in 2022, working alongside the Killin and Ardeonaig Community Development Trust (KAT) and Killin Community Council (KCC), have been raising funds in order to complete the project and issued an appeal earlier this year for people to support a final push.

The track is expected to be not only a popular facility for locals, but could also draw visitors and biking enthusiasts from much further afield.

The Hub was set up with the aims of regenerating sports and recreation infrastructure and social inclusion within the Killin area. It had already worked to regenerate Killin’s tennis courts/MUGA pitch and mark 70km of local trails.

Now it hopes a pump track for the local area will provide a vital recreational space for their youth and serve as a boost to local tourism, given the nearest equivalent facilities are currently over 40 miles away, with no public transport links.

Initial fundraising raised £93,000, with nearly £10,000 being raised locally.