Development group looks at Dunbeg pitch upgrade
A POSSIBLE upgrade of Dunbeg’s derelict football pitch has taken a step forward with the inception of a village development group.
Although still in the preliminary stages, the group would be responsible for revamping and maintaining the pitch, which is situated near Kirk Road.
However, if this is to happen, more volunteers are needed.
Dunbeg Primary School’s football coach Steven Macaulay has been vocal in his criticism of the pitch. He said there is currently nowhere for children to play, as the school’s pitch is on a hill and is boggy.
He continued: ‘When football is being re-introduced to the village school, it’s about time something was done about where the children can play football. What’s the cost to maintain a pitch with so much history? I’m not sure, but some of the memories on that pitch are priceless.’
Steven, who has been coaching the primary school pupils since last year, added: ‘We should be putting more into the community.’
Speaking at the Dunbeg Community Council meeting on Monday night, secretary Allan Robinson said: ‘We had a development group meeting, but it’s early days.’
Councillor for Oban North and Lorn Elaine Robertson said: ‘There’s money, but we have to wait until the group is up and running. This gives us something to work to.’
Fellow councillor, Kieron Green, previously pledged his support for developing the pitch saying ‘it would be brilliant'. Community councillor Marion Power said: ‘The council sent a letter to people saying they wanted to build a road there. But we all objected and that belongs to us. Going back to the early 1990s, that was the place everyone went. They had the charity days and football matches there but in the mid ’90s this all stopped.’
Dunbeg resident Shirley Inglis suggested getting a new textile bank that would make money for the newly-formed group.
She said the current one is full and hasn’t been emptied for two years. Shirley told the community council there’s a company that picks up donated clothes weekly.
Speaking about the pitch, an Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: ‘The pitch is in a poor condition and we have no identifiable budget to carry out the required works.’
Going back to the early 1990s, that was the place everyone went ” Community councillor Marion Power