Edinburgh Council has unveiled details regarding its bid for the National Performance Centre for Sport (NPCS).

The bid team made its presentation to the judging panel at Hampden Park yesterday (8 August).

Heriot-Watt University, in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, outlined a wide-ranging bid which features an iconic design concept by top Scottish architects Reiach & Hall.

A key feature of the design is the roof of the proposed centre, which is inspired by the angle and trajectory of what is often recognised as one of the greatest goals in football history – Brazil's Roberto Carlos' goal against France in 1997.

If successful, Edinburgh's bid would see the NPCS constructed in the parkland setting of Heriot-Watt University's extensive campus in the west of the city. It features a Hampden replica pitch, an outdoor synthetic pitch, four outdoor natural football and two rugby pitches, a nine-court sports hall, a 3G indoor football pitch and a fitness suite, as well as world class facilities for sports science and medicine all linked together via a spectacular sports promenade.


The site also has strong transport links, with easy access to the city, Edinburgh Airport and the surrounding area.

It was also revealed that the capital's bid for the NPCS has successfully secured a commitment from Scottish Rugby which has chosen Edinburgh as its preferred location for a training base for Scottish and Edinburgh rugby. The NPCS would also accommodate the Scotland team during the Autumn Tests and Six Nations.

Speaking about the Edinburgh bid, Heriot-Watt University Principal, Professor Steve Chapman said: "We are creating a sporting centre of excellence for the benefit of all of Scotland. Our bid's innovative and iconic design offers a world class National Performance Centre for Sport that will deliver an excellent sporting environment where athletes will feel empowered to excel. Our vision matches the ambition of Scotland to compete and be recognised at the highest levels of sporting competition nationally and worldwide."

Councillor Richard Lewis, the city's Culture and Sport Convener added: "This is an exciting stage in the bid process where we are able to reveal to the world what exactly is being proposed at the Heriot-Watt campus. The bid team has created a spectacular concept for the facility, which has the potential to put the Capital at the forefront of performance sports in Scotland.

"This would also bring overwhelming benefits for sport in the city, significantly adding to Edinburgh's sporting infrastructure and allowing us to build on the legacy of the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. We will now all be waiting in anticipation to hear the Scottish Government's decision."

The preferred bidder for the NPCS project is expected to be announced in early September.

Dundee and Stirling have also been shortlisted.

(JP/CD)