Town to get new all-weather sport pitch as council agrees upgrades

Buckie will get a new all-weather sports pitch to replace the existing one that is becoming unplayable.

Members of the education, children’s and leisure services committee agreed yesterday to put out to tender work for the playing field at the town’s high school to be replaced with a similar 3G surface.

There will also be a maintenance programme for other all-weather pitches at Keith Grammar, Speyside High School in Aberlour, Milne’s High School in Fochabers and Elgin High.

Councillors also gave approval for Moray Council officers to work with Forres Community Football Trust to look at options for an all-weather playing field in the town.

However, independent councillor for the town, George Alexander, told the committee any pitch should not have to rely on charity donations to bring it to fruition. Mr Alexander said: “I really think councillors need to understand most towns in Moray have had an artificial pitch for 10 years or more, Forres Academy has not got one of these pitches.

“Suggesting that we have to raise the funds ourselves is utterly shameful.”

Councillors were first asked to put the job to renew the Buckie Community High School pitch out to tender at a meeting of the education, communities and organisational development committee in August.

The report before members showed a well maintained grass pitch could only sustain eight hours of use per week compared to 30 hours for an artificial surface.

During an inspection of the playing fields, it was found those at Buckie and Aberlour had a lifespan of 12 months.

Providing repairs are carried out in Keith, it could last for two years.

The ones at Elgin High and Fochabers have a lifespan of more than three years.

Moray Council has set aside £430,000 to resurface and maintain the playing fields with another £25,000 earmarked for 2023-24.

The replacement cost of the Buckie pitch is expected to be around £300,000.

“Most Moray towns have had an artificial pitch for 10 years or more