The dreams of many sports enthusiasts in Kintyre came true this week following sportscotland’s announcement that Argyll and Bute Council’s bid for funding for Campbeltown’s all weather pitch had been approved. 

The council committed £480,000 of CHORD funding in February this year to go towards the £796,000 project which will transform Kinloch Green.  The third generation (3G) synthetic turf pitch will be big enough for two seven a-side pitches.  And, because the pitch will be floodlit, matches will be able to take place on winter evenings. 

In addition the existing two changing room pavilion will be completely refurbished to become four changing rooms, complete with showers and referee rooms.  This will be done with advice and guidance from sportscotland.

We are now going to start the tendering process before the work can start.  Because it is not recommended to lay the pitch surface during the winter months we expect that the project will be finished by June 2012. 

Spokesperson for Third Sector and Communities Councillor Rory Colville said, “This is fantastic news for Campbeltown and Kintyre.  This funding means that we can now get to work creating an all weather pitch which our footballers and sports people can train on all year round.  And I’m confident it will result in a big increase in people taking part in sports in Campbeltown.  This new pitch will make a real difference, not only to the way the way people train, but also the planning process. They will be able to organise events confident that bad weather will not always stop play!”

sportscotland Chief Executive, Stewart Harris said: “The development of a 3G pitch and pavilion in Campbeltown will have an enormous impact on sport in the local community, by providing clubs and schools with access to a high-quality, all-weather facility.  This exciting project will undoubtedly boost participation in the area, and I am delighted we have been able to provide design and specification expertise, along with an award of £316,000 from our Sports Facilities Fund.”

“There is huge support for the development in the community, and it will eventually become home to a number of local groups. Our partners at Argyll and Bute Council have been instrumental in getting the project to this stage along with the South Kintyre Sports Council and local community groups; and we are all looking forward to seeing the work get underway.”

A spokesperson for South Kintyre Sports Council’s All Weather Pitch Campaign said “We are absolutely delighted with the news from sportscotland that they have supported Argyll and Bute Council’s application for funding towards the provision of the all weather pitch in Campbeltown.  This offer of award, along with the funds already allocated by the council’s CHORD project in March 2011 will now ensure the delivery of a top class third generation synthetic pitch on Kinloch Green and brings us in line with other communities throughout Argyll and Bute.  Sport plays an important part of lives to many, many people in Kintyre and we have no doubt this will create a legacy for sport that sportscotland and the council’s CHORD project will be proud of for many years to come”