£1.3 million of match funding boost for north-east football facilities
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Plans to build next generation 3G artificial grass football pitches and new changing facilities in four north-east locations have received a much welcomed boost after £1.3 million of UK Government funding was awarded to get people more active across the region.
Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid hailed the announcement as "transformational" for Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray, and believes the upgrades will improve physical and mental health.
The biggest sum of £463,000 is being given to Aberdeen Sports Village towards an £893,000 plan to create a new 3G pitch at Keith Park.
£150,000 has been awarded to the Meadows Sports Centre in Ellon for their £300,000 plan to develop a new state-of-the-art pitch with floodlights.
In Mr Duguid’s constituency, Peterhead Boys Club will benefit from more than £26,000 towards £55,000 plans to build new changing facilities at the town’s Ugie Park.
Rothes Football Club have been given £70,000 towards an £121,000 bid to create a new pavilion.
As part of the £6 million scheme in partnership with the Scottish FA, the UK Government hopes to help 40 projects across Scotland from the major funding package, with the largest sum of £2.3million to Glasgow City Charitable Trust as 50 per cent funding for a major pitch site development in Pollok.
Banff and Buchan Conservative MP David Duguid said: “This is fantastic news for both Peterhead in my constituency but also the wider north-east region as a whole.
“Grassroots facilities are essential for nurturing future sporting talent and these significant sums of funding will encourage more people to get active, both helping their physical and mental wellbeing.
“In recent years, the achievements of Scotland’s men’s and women’s football teams have been phenomenal and are down to the dedication of our volunteers and participants at grassroots level.
“This transformational funding from the UK government will help to sustain and grow grassroots sport - so that physical activity is accessible to all, no matter a person’s background or location.”
