Sports facilities at Hunter Hall Park in Edinburgh have received a boost thanks to the opening of two new third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch (AGP).
The park, can now boast some of the best sporting facilities in the local area and both pitches will be floodlit, allowing year-round use in late evenings and during the winter.
The new pitches were officially opened by Culture and Communities Convener, Donald Wilson today (Friday 10 January). He was joined by representatives from Edinburgh Leisure and Scottish Football Association at a special opening ceremony. Players from local teams Edina Hibs and Gold & Gray Soccer Academy cheered the opening before kicking off a friendly match.
The football pitches offer outstanding amenities for the local sports clubs and the wider community. This phase of the redevelopment of the facilities in the area has also brought improved path network and overflow car park.
Funding from Section 75 contributions from local developments has enabled the Council to refurbish the existing 2G full size pitch and convert an existing grass pitch area to form a new 7-aside floodlit 3G playing surface. This modern facility can be much more widely used, becoming a community hub for football in the area. The work was carried out by Allsports Construction & Maintenance Ltd.
Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Donald Wilson said:
“I’m delighted that with our partners we have been able to provide these pitches which will offer year-round opportunities for both adults and young people to take part in sport. Not only will it help to increase participation in football and outdoor sport, it will also help the development of grassroots football in the area.
“As a council, we are committed to encouraging and enabling all our citizens to become more physically active and enjoy the associated benefits. We want sport to be as accessible as possible for our residents and our investment in fit-for-purpose sports facilities is helping to ensure that as many people as possible can get involved in sport throughout the year."
Edinburgh Leisure will manage the pitches and a spokesperson added:
“Making a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the people of Edinburgh is at the heart of what we do. The upgraded 3G floodlit pitches will mean more opportunities for the local community to get involved in grassroots football.”
David Gold from local Gold & Gray Soccer Academy added:
“We are very fortunate to work in partnership with Edinburgh leisure and the Jack Kane Centre. The standard of Astro allows us to put on quality sessions that benefit the physical health and wellbeing of the community as a whole.”
Brian Gunn, committee member of Edina Hibs added:
“The new Astro turf pitch facilities at the Jack Kane Sports Centre are just what Edina Hibs Football Club and the local sports community needed. The new facility will enable Edina Hibs, in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure and Jack Kane Sports Centre, deliver our core aim of providing team sports to help keep children healthy and happy in the local community and beyond.
Jennifer Malone, South East Regional Manager, Scottish Football Association added:
“It’s fantastic to see this new facility opening which in turn will hopefully see even more of the local community taking part in the game.”