Inverness Kart Raceway charity says huge ‘thank you’ to fire service for saving its building
A youth charity that runs Inverness Kart Raceway (IKR) has offered a huge ‘thank you’ to Inverness and supporting fire service teams.
A deliberate arson attack at Fairways Business Park saw several businesses destroyed in the resulting blaze, however, IKR was able to be saved.
Day1 Mentoring, the charity behind IKR, said that the quick thinking on the night of the fire at Fairways Business Park saved its building from ruin.
Inverness Kart Raceway not only provides an income stream to DAY1 but as a social enterprise, it is the base for DAY1’s Foundation Apprenticeship training in mechanics.
With over one hundred young people engaged in the course every year, the fire teams’ quick action has ensured this service can continue.
A spokesperson for Day1 Mentoring said: “We are aware of course that we have been very much more fortunate than the other businesses in the block, whose livelihoods have been cut short by the fire, and we very much hope they can find a way to bounce back from this awful event.
“Inverness Kart Raceway is now working with our insurers to assess any smoke damage and then make a plan to reopen the karting to the public. This planning will take a few days, and we will then communicate a re-opening date to our supporters and clients via another press release.”
DAY1 one-to-one mentoring program is unaffected and will continue without interruption.
Its Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) training and Personal Development programs both take place within the IKR workshops and DAY1 nurture space at the track and, while there will be a short postponement during the insurance assessment, these programs should be back up and running as soon as possible.
Day1 is communicating with its partners in schools, apprentice trainees, funding organisations and Highland Council to ensure everyone knows what is happening going forward.
The spokesperson added: “To our Volunteer Mentors, our IKR staff and our karting clients both present and future, we say DAY1 is alive and well.
“We are working through the immediate challenges thrust upon us and will be back up to 100 per cent operation very shortly. Watch this space.”
