Council: Galashiels to have 3G pitch up and running by October
Ally McGilvray • Published 15 Mar 2011 09:30
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LONG-AWAITED plans to build the first 3G pitch in the Borders could finally kick-off next month.
Scottish Borders Council, which is supporting the bid to build what has been described as the "the most state-of-the-art pitch in the whole of Scotland" at Netherdale in Galashiels, revealed a final bid for funding was being submitted to the Big Lottery Fund
And, if it is successful, the local authority revealed it could be up and running by October.
It is understood the total cost of the project, which also includes the construction of a five-a-side pitch, is estimated to be £950,000. However, it is believed the Fifa Two Star pitch could end up paying for itself.
Last year, we revealed sports clubs and organisations throughout the town had united in support of the project after cash-strapped council chiefs kicked out plans to lay the latest all-weather surface at the sports complex in Tweedbank.
Former Scotland footballer John Collins and national rugby coach Gregor Townsend returned to their roots in Galashiels to add their support to the project, entitled Netherdale: The Next Generation.
Speaking to the Border Telegraph this week, Glenn Rodger, the council's director of education and lifelong learning, said: "We are in the process of finalising our bid to the Big Lottery for external funding for that and we are getting positive messages so far.
"If all the strands come together, which we expect them to do over the next few weeks, then we hope to be in a position of going out to tender for the new facility."
And he added: "With a fair wind in getting all the agreements in place, I would hope to have the facility up and running by October."
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 15 Mar 11
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