Proposals to upgrade pitch to state-of-the-art facilities
The football pitch at Volunteer Park in Armadale could be about to get a facelift after plans were lodged for a new state-of-the-art 3G pitch, changing facilities and dug outs.
If approved, the full-size synthetic pitch with floodlighting columns will replace the existing natural grass pitch.
A separate application has also been lodged to build a new changing facility and separate accessible toilet cabin and also to demolish the east terraces and dug outs and build a new retaining wall with dug outs to the east of the pitch.
Volunteer Park is the home of Armadale Thistle and is owned by West Lothian Council, which has submitted the application.
Agents for the council, Sports Lab Ltd, said they are looking to improve their sport provision, adding that the development“will be of great benefit to the community”.
A report supporting the application continued: “This will allow all teams affiliated with the club to play and train at the facility without the concern of wearing out the grass, particularly during inclement weather.
“The existing site is currently used for playing football at various levels up to junior and woman’s premiership, but the playability is subject to weather conditions. The development would offer a new all-weather facility. A new 3G facility will be
beneficial to the wider community and local sports clubs who would be able to rent the pitches, increasing the community access to high level sport facilities.
“Evidence of local support has been appended
to this report.”The report added that a 50mm pile height 3G synthetic turf system is being proposed.
The 3G turf system consists of synthetic turf filled with sand and SBR rubber to provide the required performance characteristics.
This will provide a system suitable for full-size and small-sided football use and meet the laboratory and performance testing requirements of FIFA Quality.