Work can start almost at once on 3G pitch

Work on Glasgow’s new artificial pitch at Scotstoun could begin as early as next week after the move was rubberstamped, writes Steve Scott.

Glasgow City Council’s executive committee yesterday approved the £750,000 scheme to replace the troublesome grass with a 3G artificial surface, with an upgrade to the running track and other athletics facilities.

Scottish Rugby and the Glasgow Warriors are making a “significant” contribution to the works after a disrupted season in which four home games were badly affected by flooding problems.

Two games, including the European Cup meeting with eventual finalists Racing 92, were played at Kilmarnock FC’s Rugby Park, the home leg of the 1872 Cup was switched to BT Murrayfield and a fourth postponed game, against Zebre, was eventually played at Scotstoun in April once the pitch had recovered.

Difficulties maintaining a viable playing surface convinced Glasgow to switch to an artificial surface, which has been used with some success by Saracens and Newcastle in England, Cardiff Blues in Wales and Oyonnax in France.

CEO Nathan Bombrys said that now approval had been secured, work could begin almost immediately.

“From next season we’ll have an excellent surface all year round, to play the exciting brand of rugby we enjoy,” he said.

“We’d like to thank Scottish Rugby, Glasgow City Council and sportscotland for funding this project.”