Pitching in to get new sports facility
St Madoes and Kinfauns Parish Church celebrated the opening of its new outdoor sports facility this week.
The multi-purpose sports pitch will allow the Madoch Centre, based in St Madoes, to rebuild its all-age, all-ability sports programme.
The centre has provided various digital sessions during lockdown but with this new facility organisers can now host small, in-person group fitness and sports sessions again.
Moderator of the Church of Scotland Martin Fair was “delighted” to be able to come to officially cut the ribbon and see some of the community sports programmes in action.
The project was made possible by a £50,000 funding boost from SUEZ CommunitiesTrust.
Chairman of the trust Marek Gordon said: “SUEZ Communities Trust provides funding awards through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.
“We were delighted to be able to offer funding to St Madoes and Kinfauns Parish Church.”
Perth and Kinross Council CECF and West Carse Community Council Solar Funds also made essential contributions.
A final funding package from the Scottish
The Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair cuts a ribbon held by Theo Curry (4) and his sister Abigail (6), watched by Anthea Bircham, (far left), community development coordinator and centre users. Inset, the Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair has a shot on the new pitch. Pictures by PA staff photographer Richard Wilkins
Government’s ‘Adapt and Thrive Fund’ has helped to develop the facility further ,with plans for an outdoor meeting/spectator area going ahead and new basketball nets about to be installed.
The funding also allowed the construction of an all-weather multi-purpose games area with artificial grass.
The area will be available for a range of community activities such as children’s sports sessions, fitness and exercise programmes, a range
of sports, and community events.
Sports outreach worker Jenny Tattersall said: “Community support for the new development has been great.
“I ran a community marathon with different participants doing sections of the route with me.
“We were able to raise £2500 in sponsorship in just a couple of days.
“We are all looking forward to getting more active after the long haul of lockdown.”