Rugby: Currie turn up the heat for facilities

CURRIE rugby club have used a civic reception hosted by Edinburgh City Council to recognise their 2009-10 successes and press the case for improved facilities.

A source told the Evening News in wake of recognition for the senior Scottish champions and two age-group title winners: "(President) John Muir thanked the Lord Provost and kind words of encouragement were appreciated.

"He emphasised that sports organisations such as Currie RFC cannot survive without increasing and committed help and co-operation from local and national government.

"The authorities mustn't forget the tremendous amount of time and effort given by unpaid volunteers to ensure that sports clubs continue to operate, but they must have thefacilities to do this," he said.

It was pointed out Currie have 700 members, over 100 senior playing members and over 300 juniors all using just two rugby pitches shared with Balerno High School.

The source added: "To say that these pitches were over-used is an understatement. "The club will keep pressing the City of Edinburgh Council regarding adequate pitch facilities at Malleny Park. The club president was looking forward to a large financial investment in sports pitches that the Currie and Balerno area so desperately require. "

"Elected members were aware that the council's recent 'Open Spaces' consultative document showed no sports facilities development to the west of the city bypass.

"It had been brought to the attention of the city's Planning Department that all-weather pitch facilities in the area were wholly inadequate."

•EDINBURGH will open their Celtic League campaign away to Cardiff on the weekend of 3-5 September.