LOCHGILPHEAD Joint Campus will have a new 3G all-weather sports pitch later this year, following a life cycle review of the current facility carried out by Argyll and Bute Council and its project partner ABC Schools.

The news has been welcomed by Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Isles councillors who have been keen to find ways of providing an upgraded sports pitch at the school for some time.

Policy Lead for Community and Culture, Councillor Robin Currie, said: “We are delighted that this is possible and I know that all my colleagues in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands have been aiming for this result for several months.

“A new all-weather 3G playing surface offers lots of possibilities not only for pupils at Lochgilphead Joint Campus but also for sports clubs in the community, who have been equally keen to see this aspiration realised.“

The review of the Lochgilphead sports pitch has been carried out by Argyll and Bute Council’s Education and Community and Culture services in partnership with ABC Schools (which maintains Lochgilphead Joint Campus for the council). Following this review the council has now asked ABC Schools to replace the 2G surface with 3G later this year. ABC Schools has confirmed that this will not carry any additional cost for the council.

Now, council staff will liaise with ABC Schools on the timescale for completion of the 3G upgrade, which is expected to take place later this year. The detail is yet to be finalised, but it is likely to take place over the summer period.