OIC P&R Committee Supports Orkney 2025 Financial Ask

An additional direct funding award of £400k for the Orkney 2025 Island Games has been recommended by Orkney Islands Council's Policy and Resources Committee. 

That recommendation will now go to Full Council on 2 July.  

In March 2017 the Council agreed to financially support a bid by Orkney Island Games Association to host an International Islands Games in Orkney with a £1m funding allocation. 

Since then the costs of the Games have significantly increased due to a two-year delay to the Games, international events, soaring inflation and the cost-of-living crisis. 

With just over one year to go until the event - and in order to ensure that the Games can go ahead - Orkney 2025 had approached the Council for an appropriate increase in the financial package available.  

Subject to ratification at Full Council, that package will also include in kind costs of £203k, covering items such as venue hire, cleaning costs and roads support.  

Council Heather Woodbridge, Chair of the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee, said: “The Orkney 2025 Island Games are set to be a very special event that will bring a great deal of joy and excitement to our community and become something to be reminisced on and celebrated for years to come.

“It’s important that the Orkney 2025 Board – with one year to go – can plot a stable path towards a smooth and streamlined Games - and as we heard a sufficient funding package is a vital element of that.

“The financial ask that came in front of us was significant – and whilst the recommendations were passed this did not take place without significant discussion and debate, borne out through its 90-minute duration.  

“In the main the elected members were supportive of the ask, but with a firm hand on our important stewardship of Orkney’s strategic reserve fund and the duty that is placed upon us to ensure that the fund is used for the overall good of Orkney and our communities.”

Gordon Deans, Chairman of Orkney 2025 International Island Games said: 

“Orkney 2025 will be an historic occasion which will provide a long and lasting legacy for sporting participation and facilities on our Islands.  Not only are the Games a wonderful chance for local athletes to compete at an international multi-sport event on home soil, they are an unrivalled opportunity to encourage people of all ages to participate in sport and promote health and wellbeing across our islands.   

“The logistics of delivering this event are very complex and this funding support from OIC is incredibly valuable to the Games, ensuring we are on track to deliver the most successful event the islands have ever hosted. 

“The whole community is set to see huge value in Orkney playing host to the Games. Local businesses across a wide range of sectors will benefit from the large numbers of visitors staying in Orkney.  Locals will have a once in a lifetime experience of volunteering at an international sporting event – and some will even receive free specialised training in first aid and food hygiene.  

“A positively unforgettable experience for competitors and locals alike, the Games will also be a brilliant opportunity for us to demonstrate the excellent facilities that Orkney can offer and further support Scotland’s reputation as a country that delivers world class sporting events.”