The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
3G pitch: East Fife’s new artificial surface ‘will transform lives’.
Charity will help install new surface that will then be open to the community
A new artificial pitch at the home of East Fife Football Club will help transform lives in Levenmouth, it has been claimed.
Fife Council awarded the Fifers for the Community charity £350,000 to help install a 3G surface at New Bayview Stadium that will allow the ground to be used for a range of sporting, social and educational activities.
The Courier understands the existing grass pitch is due to be torn up at the end of the season, and the new astroturf will be installed over a six to eight-week period in the summer.
Once up and running, the charity will manage pitch rentals and other facilities within the stadium, such as meeting rooms and bar/kitchen facilities.
Former First Minister and ex-East Fife player Henry McLeish said: “One of the reasons why this community project is so important is that we have fallen on harder times in this area.
“It is quite clear that there are problems – social, economic, physical – but nevertheless this has always been a strong and vibrant community that is always looking for a way to help itself and go forward.”
He continued: “My plea is to the people of Levenmouth, often longsuffering, not just in terms of football but in terms of life, in terms of opportunities, jobs, welfare, a whole host of things that any community needs.
“We’re actually saying to them today ‘Come and join us’.
“We want to join you, and if we do that then this part of Fife will thrive and it will be a better place to live in.”
The directors of East Fife have agreed to lease the facilities at Bayview to the charity trustees for 30 years, although of course they will retain control for all SFA/SPFL match requirements.
It is believed the relationship between East Fife and Fifers for the Community is unique in Scotland, although similar projects exist in England.
However, those behind the project reckon the launch of the charity and the commitment from the club to support its aims will combine to make the Levenmouth area a place of choice to live, work and grow.
Charity representative Allan Duthie said: “Every effort will be made to ensure that every individual, social group and sporting group has the opportunity to be involved with, or be supported by, the charity.
“For a long time Levenmouth has been one of the more deprived areas in Fife and in fact in Scotland, but Fifers for the Community is confident that, with the correct level of support, this facility will help improve levels of health, fitness, education and self-esteem. Our intention is to turn Bayview into a facility which is truly the hub of the community.”
“One of the reasons why this community project is so important is that we have fallen on harder times in this area. HENRY MCLEISH