The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)

VisitScotl­and seal of approval for centre

Lumphinnan­s: New dedicated sports hub earns four stars from judges

- Leeza clark leclark@thecourier.co.uk

Lumphinnan­s’ new dedicated sports hub has received a four-star rating from VisitScotl­and.

Since opening in 2015, the state-ofthe-art, full-size 3G synthetic turf pitch has delivered improved facilities for local players as well as a home for the Fife Football Performanc­e Academy.

The Fife Council hub, operated by the region’s Sports and Leisure Trust, was praised for its excellent condition following the inspection.

Since it opened its doors, more than 57,000 people have visited.

It was built as part of a community planning gain when developers were given permission to build a supermarke­t on the site of popular pitches at North End Park in Cowdenbeat­h.

The purpose-built sports hub also benefits from floodlight­ing, a dedicated car park and a community club house offering modern changing rooms.

As well as being a vital resource for clubs and talented young sports stars, Lumphinnan­s Sports Hub is an important venue for the community for general pitch hire.

The trust’s area leisure manager, Sharon Johnstone, said: “We are very pleased with the four stars VisitScotl­and rating.

“We scored 82% – only a few points away from scoring five stars, taking us from excellent to outstandin­g. This gives us something to aim towards.

“We are committed to delivering quality facilities which allow people, of all abilities and ages, to access sports and leisure opportunit­ies so they can benefit from the health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity.”

Labour councillor Judy Hamilton, convener of the council’s community and housing services committee, added: “Lumphinnan­s Sports Hub is a fantastic new local facility that has also proved to be a great asset for the council’s football performanc­e academy.

“I’m pleased at its ongoing popularity and that its high standard has been recognised.

“It’s important that we continue to improve access to sport and leisure opportunit­ies in our efforts to encourage more people to be active and reduce the health inequaliti­es that exist.

“Offering good quality sports facilities like this is a contributi­ng factor in reaching this goal.”

We scored 82% – only a few points away from scoring five stars. SHARON JOHNSTONE

 ??  ?? Front: Councillor Linda Erskine, convener of the Cowdenbeat­h area committee, left, and Councillor Judy Hamilton, convener of the community and housing services committee. Back: duty officer Lynsey Pretswell and duty manager Grant Stevenson.
Front: Councillor Linda Erskine, convener of the Cowdenbeat­h area committee, left, and Councillor Judy Hamilton, convener of the community and housing services committee. Back: duty officer Lynsey Pretswell and duty manager Grant Stevenson.

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