Gym facilities in the new Forth Valley College Falkirk Campus have been given a real boost thanks to a generous donation from Robert Barr’s Charitable Trust.
The College’s Department of Care, Health and Sport submitted the successful proposal to the Trust, and the money will be used to invest in a range of innovative fitness equipment for use in the new Falkirk Campus gym area.
The hi-tech equipment will ensure the new Campus facilities provide an inclusive, state-of-the-art fitness environment, where gym users of all abilities will feel confident and comfortable.
Features such as tactile numbers, raised icons and connections to external devices such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), will also make the gym more inclusive and help to transform the gym experience for all users. In addition, college students will benefit from opportunities to work with a more diverse user group – increasing awareness of needs and enhancing their skills.
Pauline Barnaby, FVC’s Development and Fundraising Manager, said: “We are over the moon with the donation. For me, it is particularly special as it is the first one for our new Falkirk Campus. The money will be used to buy much needed gym equipment which will benefit students, staff and community groups. I am hoping that this donation will be the first of many as there are so many opportunities for organisations to support our amazing new Campus facility.”
Hannah Ritchie, Head of FVC’s Department of Care, Health and Sport, said: “The college and department are extremely grateful for the generous support provided by Robert Barr’s Charitable Trust. This grant will extend considerably our ability to offer first class fitness facilities and support to people with a variety of disabilities in our new Falkirk Campus. We look forward to using the fund innovatively and inclusively to enhance the service we provide for all the people of Falkirk and beyond.”
The new £78 million campus - which is earmarked for completion in November 2019 - will complete FVC’s ambitious estates programme which saw their £21 million Alloa Campus opened in 2011 and their £29 million Stirling Campus opened a year later. The Scottish Government is investing £65 million in the construction of the new campus.
The new Falkirk HQ will focus heavily on training facilities designed for science and technology, engineering, sport and healthcare, and will also have state-of-the-art provision and capabilities to accommodate a wide range of FVC’s courses.