Sport chiefs lay down plans for new pitches

NEARLY £1 million is to be spent on upgrading sports facilities across the Capital over the next two years.

City council chiefs have drawn up a list of six top- priority locations for it to create top-quality new artificial pitches.

Costs of up to 500,000 per new 3G pitch would mean only two could be installed with the initial 940,000 that is to be made available, but council chiefs are hopeful that external funding can be secured to allow them to press ahead with plans for six pitches.

Four current grass pitches have been given top priority to be turned into 3G pitches and are likely to include floodlights to allow them to be used at any time throughout the year. These are at Gyle Park, Saughton Park Enclosure, Wardie Recreation Ground and Seafield Playing Fields.

Two existing artificial pitches at Meadowbank Sports Centre and the Jack Kane Sports Centre have also been given top priority to be upgraded because they have fallen into disrepair. They are expected to cost up to 300,000 each to upgrade.

Councillor Deidre Brock, the city's sport and leisure leader, said: "We are committed to making sport and physical activity as accessible as possible for our residents.

"Our investment in 3G pitches provides significant benefits as they can be used much more heavily than grass pitches, allowing football or rugby teams to play on a quality surface all year.

"Having drawn up this priority list, we can progress our creation of a network of 3G pitches across the city while, at the same time, seeking additional funding from external sources."

Opposition councillors welcomed the proposed spending but criticised the lack of consultation over which pitches should be made a priority.

Cllr Gordon Munro, sport and leisure spokesman for the Labour group on the council, said: "It is good news for sport, especially football, but I would like to have seen a better spread across the city.

"I know, for instance, that Leith Athletic want a 3G pitch on Leith Links and there are other clubs that do a lot of good work in the community that will want one too, so I'd like to see this extended.

"I will be trying to find out how much dialogue has been made with the clubs to find out their views."

It is also intended that some of the money will be used to allow for upgrades to some sports pavilions.

Over the last three years, the council has built replacement pavilions at Bingham Park, East Pilton Park, Bangholm Playing Fields and Fernieside Recreation Ground.

David Jack, acting director of corporate services at the council, said: "Investment in 3G pitches provides significant benefits. They can be used much more heavily than grass pitches, so the capacity to meet demand is far greater.This reduces pressure on grass pitches, which makes it easier to improve their quality.

"There is also a corresponding increase in the capacity of 3G pitches to generate income."