A proposed golf and tennis centre near Stirling University strengthens the case for Dundee to host Scotland’s National Football Academy and Performance Centre, a city-based MSP has claimed.
Labour’s Jenny Marra said resources should be spread out across the country after plans for the added facilities in the central belt were announced.
Tennis star Andy Murray’s mum Judy and Scottish golf star Colin Montgomerie have announced plans for Scotland’s first purpose-built tennis and golf centre.
Its proposed location is at Park of Keir, between Murray’s home town of Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, near Stirling University.
Dundee, Stirling and Edinburgh have all been short listed for the football centre, with the final decision to be made this summer.
Ms Marra said: “The news that the tennis and golf centres are going to Stirling strengthens Dundee’s case today for the National Football Academy and Performance Centre to come to our city.
“The Scottish Government has a responsibility to spread investment and opportunities as evenly as possible between cities. I would think that this news now rules Stirling out of the running for the National Football Academy. Edinburgh has so many national facilities so the obvious choice for the football academy is now, more than ever, Dundee.”
Ms Murray and Mr Montgomerie’s plans include six indoor and six outdoor tennis courts in addition to a nine-hole golf course with practice range and mini golf.
A hotel, coaching suites and a cafe restaurant are also earmarked for the site.
Stirling already boasts facilities at Forthbank in addition to the national swimming centre at the city’s university, and a school of thought exists suggesting the National Performance Centre should move to an area with existing infrastructure.
Stirling councillor John Hendry said: “These proposals fit well with our commitment to make sport a driver in improving health and wellbeing across society, encouraging all ages, but particularly the young, to become active in sport.
“Stirling is fast being recognised as Scotland’s city of sport and this announcement strengthens our case for locating the National Performance Centre for Sport in the city”.