Hopes raised for synthetic pitch for Forres

FORRES took a step closer to an all-weather playing surface following a Moray Council meeting.

The Children and Young People’s Committee agreed to further investigate the potential of a 3G synthetic grass pitch at Roysvale, more than ten years since the idea was first proposed.

"In the interests of equality, it is unfair that kids in Forres don’t currently have an artificial surface to play on - this was spoken about 10/15 years ago," said local councillor, George Alexander.

"I feel for the head of PE at Forres Academy - it must be difficult to maintain a programme when you can’t guarantee that you are going to get outside to do a certain activity on an outdoor pitch."

In 2007, the Education and Social Services Committee approved the Natural Grass and Synthetic Turf Pitches Strategy (2007-2012) for Moray. Development of a 2G pitch at Elgin Academy and 3G pitches at Buckie, Keith, Speyside, Forres and Elgin High was identified.

Forres and Lossiemouth are the only towns who still do not have one.

In July this year, the council approved the Review of Sport, Leisure and Recreation Provision in Moray report, which identified the "aspiration" that every secondary school would have access to a 3G synthetic grass pitch. A deterioration of grass pitches in Forres due to over-use was also highlighted.

The council report stated that expenditure for synthetic pitches are far less than grass due to lower maintenance costs. Natural pitches are no longer fit for purpose due to poor drainage, uneven surfaces and inadequate maintenance due to increasing budget pressures faced by the council.

The cost of building a full size 3G synthetic grass pitch with fencing and floodlighting is around £600,000. Suppliers estimate about £10,000 requires to be spent annually on maintenance, supervision and cleaning.

Local Authorities can apply to Sportscotland for up to 50% of the total cost of the project which would benefit much of the local sporting community.

Roysvale is currently used for school PE and summer league football matches. Investigations will now be carried out to see conditions needed for planning consent, if the land is suitable for installing a new pitch, and to identify the overall costs required.

A recommendation was made by the Children and Young People’s Committee that investigations are progressed ASAP. A report is expected soon.

"It’s about 15/20 years too late for me," added Aaron McLean, "but the benefits for children in Forres and the wider community would be fantastic. I hope it progresses quickly."