Drive to develop Dunbeg’s derelict football pitch

DUNBEG Primary School’s football coach is campaigning to revamp the village’s derelict grass sports pitch.

Steven Macaulay, who took over the coaching role last year, wants to repair the old, overgrown football pitch, which is adjacent to Kirk Road.

He said: ‘It makes me sick to see the effort that is going into clearing trees to widen a road in Dunbeg, with all the disregard that has been shown to the football pitch.’

Dunbeg’s Kirk Road is currently undergoing a £2 million upgrade with proposals to build a further 300 houses in the village.

Mr Macaulay added: ‘Dunbeg school is a great school but the pitch is on a hill, and [it is] boggy at the bottom.

‘Look at Lochnell school’s pitch or the pitch in Taynuilt. Surely with all these big wigs making decisions in our community they could spare a thought to the people that are already there and put something towards a community [facility] we can use. What’s the cost to maintain a pitch with so much history? Some of the memories on that pitch are priceless.

‘When football is being reintroduced to the village school, it’s about time something was done about where the children can play football.’

Sean MacIntyre, chairman of Dunbeg Community Council, said the pitch was gifted to the community, adding that upgrading it is something the Dunbeg Development Group could take forward, if they get more volunteers.

Councillor for Oban North and Lorn Kieron Green said he supports upgrading the pitch: ‘It would be excellent if there was a provision there for a new facility for the village. I absolutely support it. If there’s anything I can do in terms of advice and such, I am here.’