Local teams showed off their soccer skills at the recent opening of a new state-of-the-art sports pitch in Golspie, supported by a £160,000 grant from SSE’s Gordonbush Wind Farm Community Fund.
A friendly tournament involving five local football teams from Brora, Embo and Golspie marked the official kick-off of the all-weather third generation (3G) pitch near Golspie Primary School, Sutherland.
After a round-robin series of matches, Brora Wanderers took the cup with local team Golspie Juniors coming a creditable second.
The £250,000 multi-use pitch has been funded by a £160,000 grant from SSE’s Gordonbush Wind Farm Community Fund and around £90,000 from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund, managed by Sport Scotland.
Local volunteers carried out vital preparation work on the disused site last year, allowing the appointed contractor to complete the installation by April 2014.
Graeme Keddie, Head of Community Investment at SSE, said: “Well done to the Sutherland Sports and Recreational Hub for their hard work and dedication in turning a local eyesore into a valuable, long-term asset for the community.
“Having a pitch like this is great news for the local area – encouraging more people to get involved in active sports and providing regular opportunities to bring the community together at tournaments and events. We are proud to support it.”
The 60m x 40m pitch can cater for five-a-side and seven-a-side matches and is free to use by local schools. 340 primary school children will also take part in a Commonwealth-themed sports event on Wednesday 28 May.
John Murray from the Sutherland Sports and Recreational Hub, the group who led the project, said: “We are delighted with the end result and would like to thank SSE, our other funders and members of the local community who have supported us over the years.”
SSE’s Gordonbush Community Fund provides £144,000 per year to community and charitable projects in Rogart, Brora, Golspie, and Helmsdale and has awarded over 100 grants since the fund opened in 2011. Between 2011 and 2036, at least £3.6 million will be invested in local projects.
Groups wishing to book the pitch should contact Highlife Highland at the Golspie Swimming Pool on 01408 633437.