UK Government cash for Dunfermline Athletic training ground

The playing surface will be installed at their training ground and academy complex in Rosyth with the money part of a larger £6 million pot for grassroots sport in Scotland.

It is one of 40 projects north of the border to receive funds for new and upgraded pitches, goalposts, changing rooms and floodlights.

The former Rosyth Civil Service Sports Club, on Castle Road, and the land next to it is being turned into a training ground for the Pars in a project costing a reported £825,000. (Image: David Wardle)

READ MORE: Dunfermline Athletic get planning permission for 3G pitch in Rosyth

The club told the Press: "As we approach the half way stage of the first phase of developing our training ground and academy complex at Rosyth, DAFC are pleased to provide the following update.

"Having commenced work on the installation of the artificial pitch in November, which includes a perimeter fence, floodlights and specific drainage to satisfy planning constraints, construction specialists Doe Sport along with project managers Sports Labs, are happy to report that the project is running according to plan and is on schedule despite the recent challenges of cold, wet and windy weather.

"We look forward to providing further updates as this exciting development progresses."

The other Fife recipient of UK Government money, Hill of Beath Hawthorn, has been awarded £3,867 towards the £6,867 cost of upgrading their grass pitch.

Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney said: “One of the priorities for the SFA is ensuring that local communities across the nation have access to facilities, so it is wonderful to see the UK Government’s commitment to investing in our national game through the SFA’s Grassroots Pitch and Facilities Fund.

“It is vitally important for the nation that we continue to make our national game accessible to all and we are extremely grateful to the UK Government for helping us to do so through this investment.”

Last year money from the UK Government helped Dunfermline High School roll out a new £200,000 artificial pitch.

And this year the grassroots funding will help Athletic with their £825,000 project to convert the former Civil Service Sports Club on Castle Road into a top class training ground and academy.

Lewis McCann, James McPake, David Cook and Matty Todd attended a breaking ground ceremony at the site of Dunfermline Athletic's new training ground in November. (Image: Craig Brown)

The club struck a deal to take over the Rosyth site in November 2021, agreeing a 25 year lease, and had hoped it would be up and running in June 2022.

There have been numerous delays but work on the training ground began on site in November.

The new floodlit artificial pitch will be used by the first team and academy squads, as well as the Pars Foundation, the charity which runs community programmes on their behalf.

The plans for the training ground also include two full-size grass pitches, warm-up and goalkeeper areas, an education and analysis auditorium, offices and meeting rooms, a kit room, laundry and boot room, an indoor sports hall, kitchen and an eating and rest area.

The club also aim to move the strength and conditioning gym, which is currently situated at East End Park, to Rosyth.

UK Government sports minister Stuart Andrew said: “Sport and physical activity is vital to our mental health and wellbeing, and each year thousands of people make a New Year's resolution to exercise more.

“We know that one of the major barriers in getting active is access to high quality sports facilities, which is why we are delivering 40 new projects in Scotland.

“The UK Government and Scottish FA have already delivered another 40 projects backed by £4m to give local communities the high quality facilities they need.”