Good Practice - Project
Sievä Dog Sport Centre
Multifunctional socio-economic benefits flow from CAP co-financing for community facilities in Finland.
General information
RDP Priority
- P6. Social inclusion and local development
RDP Focus Area
- 6B: Local development
RDP Measure
- M07: Basic services & village renewal
Summary
The Sievi Kennel Club received support from the Rieska-Leader LAG to develop the area’s first Dog Sport Centre. The new leisure facility centre includes two training/competition fields and a multipurpose clubhouse.
Results
The project improves quality of life for local residents thereby helping address rural depopulation pressures and serves thousands of dog enthusiasts across the country as a venue for national championship competitions which attract visitors to the LAG territory.
Promoter
Sievi Kennels Association
Funding
Total budget 172 950.00 (EUR)
EAFRD 36 319.50 (EUR)
National/Regional 50 155.50 (EUR)
Private 86 475.00 (EUR)
Resources
Documents
Sievä Dog Sport Centre
(PDF – 3.21 MB)
Links
Context
The Sievi Kennel Club is a small community group which identified a viable location to set up a Dog Sports Centre on a farm plot. The club had no financial resources but were eager to work on this project, so they applied to the Rieska-LEADER Local Action Group (LAG) for financial support. When the local municipality of Sievi also agreed to guarantee the Kennel Club’s bank loan, their dreams started to become reality. In 2016, they were able to buy the land and begin work on their Dog Sport Centre.
Objectives
The aim of this project was to improve quality of life in a rural area by establishing a recreational facility for dog owners that could attract national competitions and related visitor income.
Activities
The Sievi Kennel Club received support from the Rieska-LEADER LAG, which was used to buy an old farm and convert it into a dog sport centre. The old henhouse was renovated and converted into 200 m2 training hall with artificial turf floors. A parking lot and two training/competition fields of international dog competition standards were also built. Furthermore, an old cabin was transformed into the estate’s clubhouse and used, alongside its primary function as a canteen and meeting space, as a teaching venue, as accommodation for judges/trainers, and a place to store the club's equipment.
Main results
Through this project, dog enthusiasts in Sievi and from nearby municipalities have gained unique leisure and social opportunities, which has increased the attractiveness of the area.
In the summer of 2022, Sievi was able to host the national championship competitions for the first time.
The Sievi Kennels Association has 120 members and the new sports centre connects to a network of many more dog enthusiasts across the country.
Key lessons
Social facilities can be designed to be multifunctional providing community services as well as visitor attractions.