Dunfermline High: Work complete on new £200,000 sports pitch

Work to replace the 3G synthetic turf at the school with a new £200,000 surface has now been completed.

The project to replace the pitch, which was no longer fit for purpose, began in March and was funded by Fife Council, in partnership with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and Scottish Football Association’s (SFA) Grassroots pitch and facilities.

The new pitch at Dunfermline High is already in use. (Image: Fife Council)

Councillor Linda Erskine, the spokesperson for communities and leisure, said that providing better sporting facilities was "an important priority" for the council.

She said: "The pitch is well used by both the school and local community and is home to Duloch Juniors FC but was no longer fit for purpose."

Craig Park, chairman of Duloch Juniors, added: "Duloch Juniors are delighted that through our partnership with Fife Council, we are able to maximise the use of the facility.

"Having used the premises for 10 years we appreciate the support afforded by community use to allow our club to grow and provide an excellent facility for our young footballers."

The school was one of 23 multi sport sites across Scotland to receive a share of £2m of UK Government funding as part of ongoing investment in grassroots sports in collaboration with the Scottish Football Association.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said they were committed to levelling up access to sport which is so important for the nation’s physical and mental health.

Making the funding announcement, she said: “Today we are delivering 23 new and improved grassroots sports facilities across Scotland to continue to support, sustain and grow community and grassroots sport - so that physical activity is accessible to all, no matter a person’s background or location.

“We will continue to work with the Scottish Football Association to nurture the talent of the future whilst making sure local communities have the sporting facilities that they need.”

The new pitch at Dunfermline High cost £200,000. Work started in March. (Image: Fife Council)

A central aim of the programme is to level up access to community sports facilities and invest in some of the most deprived areas in the UK, to give as many people as possible the opportunity to take part in sport.

In order to achieve this, and to deliver access that every community needs, at least 50 per cent of investment will be spent in underprivileged areas.

Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack added: “We have seen some fantastic results in recent years from Scotland’s men's and women's football teams and we know much of this is a result of the hard work and dedication put in by those working in grassroots football.

"I am pleased the UK Government is working closely with the SFA and providing funding for high quality facilities in Scotland.

“With much of the funding aimed at multi-sport facilities, deprived areas and underrepresented groups this investment will benefit many people across the country.”