FIFE COUNCIL has pitched in with plans for a new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) in Cairneyhill.

Proposals have been submitted now for the MUGA, which has been on the cards in the village for years.

The Press told you back in February that a £75,000 funding boost had been awarded to Cairneyhill Community Sports Hub, one of the groups hoping to turn the dream into reality, towards the cost of constructing the site.

The venture, which will be available for community use for a number of sports and guaranteed access to Cairneyhill Primary School for PE and extra-curricular activities, including those delivered by Active Schools Fife, will provide more opportunities for participation in sport and physical activity.

It is proposed that the sand-dressed synthetic turf will be 55 metres x 35m in size, with a three-metre-high boundary fence and six floodlight columns to shine light on the turf, which will have six folding goals, in the evening during the winter nights to allow for year-round activity.

Two pedestrian gates will be implemented into its design and a hardstanding area will be included.

A proposed footpath linking directly to the school, as well as a vehicle access route, will also be a feature in the end product should the application be approved.

The MUGA will be built on the currently-vacant playing fields beside the school and adjacent to the existing football pitch.

Peter Rippin, chair of Cairneyhill Community Sports Hub, was delighted to receive the funding from sportscotland earlier this year and highlighted that the village's expansion in the past few decades had meant that a MUGA was a necessary and timely addition.

He said: "Cairneyhill has grown considerably over the last 20-30 years but facilities in the village have not.

"This MUGA will allow the primary school children dedicated access during term-time school days with the wider community then gaining access at the end of the school day, as well as during all weekends and school holidays.

"It’s been a truly community-wide supported project with Fife Education/Cairneyhill Primary School staff and pupils, the community council, local sports clubs such as Cairneyhill football, badminton, yoga and so on; the Scouts and Guides, the youth club, local councillor support from Councillor Mino Manekshaw as the lead, and, ultimately, the overwhelming support of local residents who have all come together to help our goal take a big step to becoming reality."