Work starts on Campbeltown’s all weather pitch

[ultraviolet]

Actually didn't say you are selfish and my comment about "getting a life" is a general comment to people who knock everything. Fully respect your opinion about location and mine is different. I think the location is perfect. Right in the middle of town and great to see getting used. Well done everyone involved. Son was on it again this afternoon!

[Pans Lass]

On behalf of Jogscotland we are delighted and excited to see the AWP come to fruition albeit for footballers or whoever but I can guarantee we will use it for the odd training session especially over the Winter nights when it gets dark early and on those days when the pavements are to dangerous to run on due to the icy weather .

At our last meeting we discussed options of how we could plan our training sessions on the AWP eg circuits, fartlek , speed training etc . It was disappointing to learn that we have to get 'special' shoes and that trainers were unacceptable but understand the reasons why and know if we want to make use of the facility we will have to buy a pair of rubber studded type shoes . Wee Toon Sports have quite a few on offer just now. If footballers can train in them then so can we

Well done to everyone who has worked so tirelessly in making this happen for the Wee Toon .

[Ship called Dignity]

Pans Lass. It's good to hear of Jog Scotland's continued support for this facility. It was only after I went away this afternoon after reading Isa's post that I realised that some consensus in the community may be based on the fact the Council have implemented a strict policy on the correct footwear being used (after the Contractors told them they had to) that I realised that Jog Scotland and the Running Club may feel they can't use the facility. First of all your statement above highlights a sensible approach to the way forward. Secondly can I reassure anyone in any of the clubs that as a Sports Council and as a campaign group there was certainly no way we "duped" anyone into supporting this campaign knowing otherwise. That's certainly has never been the case and the support of the likes of Jog Scotland and Campbeltown Running Club played its part in securing this facility. The fact is we didn't know until April this year that there was a strict policy on footwear and this was something that wasn't implemented elsewhere. So it was news to us but when the contractors explained the reasons (to maintain the surface) it makes sense. As such there are plenty of kids and adults who want a kick about at football who are having to purchase new boots to play on this surface. The Council have even confirmed that spectators/coaches etc will not be allowed on the park unless they have the correct footwear so this isn't something that has been implemented to support football. Anyway, a rabble but we know there is no issue at your end and thanks for your support.

Isa,

Its hard to respond to anything on forums without coming over all defensive but here goes at a genuine effort to give you some background.

The Sports Council committee is made of a number of different organisations; athletics, swimming, running, jogging, football etc whose members cover all sports in South Kintyre. The main sport calling out for the provision of an all weather surface with flood lights has been football from day one – that has always been the main driver and without football’s representations there is no argument for the provision of an all weather pitch in Campbeltown – certainly outside the education system. Extensive consultation in 2009/10 by leisure consultants PMR Leisure highlighted the need for an all weather pitch in Campbeltown as Argyll & Bute Council’s number one priority; again the main driver of support for the facility for the facility was football. Again the business case round the provision of the facility was feasible because of football. The support of various groups like running and rugby also helped bolster the business case but these sports alone were never sufficient to support the business model needed by the Council to attract funding like SportScotland.

The recommendation to the Council was to deliver a 3rd generation all weather pitch. As the facility would not be part of education the consensus was that a 2G surface will be delivered when the school is finally built in Campbeltown. Thus there is no compromise to sport in Campbeltown. This is important part that the Sports Council will push and the town should be arguing for a running track as part of the new school and why not? We have the biggest running/jogging prescence in Argyll and this should be used to get the correct facility for our running/jogging clubs.

It has never been called a football pitch because it is an all weather pitch that at the end of the day can be used for other sports if they so wish. As explained above the situation with regards footwear is unfortunate but something the Sports Council didn't know about until this year and just something we all have to adhere to and for the correct reasons. The fact it is marked out for football makes sense as this will be the main use. You'd hardly build a swimming pool and then not have lanes in it just because the canoe club use it every Monday.

There are over 300 kids and adults actively participating in football in Campbeltown - either through the Juvenile Football Association, Education, the Amateur game, the summer league or present users of the Victoria Hall. It is anticipated that this number can increase by 100% having a facility such as we have now - casual users, kick abouts, works teams, leagues and even seniors are all looking to use the facility.

This wasn't something that was plucked out of thin air. It was born from the fact that there was a need and the fact that the primary usage will be football is the very reason we have the All Weather Pitch in Campbeltown.

The all weather pitch we have in Campbeltown is a truly wonderful sports facilities - one of the best in Scotland and anyone who doubts it should go and have a look. After all the rain from 3pm to 7pm tonight there wasn't one puddle or wet spot on the pitch tonight.

With regards the location I don't have the time (or the will) to go over that again but I can reassure 7 sites were looked at in Campbeltown and only two were suitable. One the upper grammar school playing field and Kinloch Green. The Upper School playing field was ruled out as it is one of the possible sites for the new school so it left the Green. Other sites like Kintyre Park, lower playing field, the old football field on the Meadows and two sites on the current Millennium Playing Field at Meadows were all ruled out due to bore tests highlighting the ground wasn't suitable. Meadows for example would have cost over £500,000 more due to the peat and no contractor would give the Council any assurance the pitch wouldn't subside (like it did in Tarbert). If you want to read the Outline Business Case on this then I'll happily send it to you. Kinloch Green wasn't my first choice either but again that's my opinion. (and I've actually grown to think the green is the best choice!)

Finally, and on a personal note I can't help but find your comment "I think the public were duped into thinking it was going to be a sport venue so that they would support it" offensive, suggesting that members of the campaign group asked for peolples support knowing that we were getting something else. The videos, posters, photos were all of footballers and you can look back on posts here to see there was no hidden agenda otherwise. Your basically suggesting we lied to get support which simply isn't true. Actually, I can't believe I sat and typed all of the above to explain to someone who at the end of the day knew what we were campaigning for. Feck it!

[rtodd31]

my kids are loving the all weather pitch already and its only been a few days, i've supported it from the start, so i for one am a very happy parent and well done to how quick it was built )) no more muddy strips lol well maybe not as much

[jdcarra]

An excellant acheivement by all who fought for this and seeing by KFN's photo's will be enjoyed by many.

Am I too old to take up football?

[joe_ruesgen]

Having grown up in Campbeltown and moving to the States 8 years ago to play football, I can count on one hand the amount of grass fields that I have played on since I have been here. With that being said I feel that I am pretty accurate with my assessments of artificial surfaces and what can be done on them.

Firstly, I don't know where they are getting their information on why regular running shoes can't be worn on the surface, this is complete nonsense. Studded shoes can be fine, but sofer running shoes are not? The high school that I coach at trains on a turf field and we tell our players that running shoes are fine (for fitness training, of course), never once been told by the administration or maintenance teams otherwise.

Secondly, it is a simple solution to involving other sports on the AWP. Just have more lines painted on. The field we use has lines for soccer, american football, and lacrosse. They are simply different colours.

Lastly (and sorry for keep harping on about this), but I think it is rediculous that they will require someone to pay to use the field even if it is empty. I have been in much more advanced and expensive public facilities all of which allow you to use it if it is free, which is the difference between making it a public park instead of a private park. Sure you can use the argument of footwear, but I assure you if you have ever tried to wear a pair of metal studs on turf you will quickly find that they dont grip and you will have very sore feet! Just have someone monitor the field randomly to ensure compliance, zero tolerance should deter anyone from breaking the rules. In addition, e.g. if I was wanting to take my 2 younger cousins and brother down each night to play on the field, is it not wrong to assume that I would be able to afford the 28pounds each week to do so?

I don't want this to come across like I think I am an expert, but this is not my first rodeo. The reason for getting the AWP was to encourage and allow more playing opportunities in the town, not to make money from it. Is it not better to have kid(s) running around on it playing without having to play rather than it laying dormant? Open the gates for anyone to use it whenever, if someone has booked it then they get to use it. Simple.

[reid]

I have to agree with some of what Joe's saying with regards to footwear. We used to wear trainers or moulded studded trainers or football boots on the 3G surface. No such "ban" of footwear was ever introduced nevermind enforced by the Highland Council. As long as there werent any metal studs used then it was all gravy! As Joe said, if you were to use metal studs or tipped blades you would quickly find out that they are not suitable.

As for access to the pitch. In an ideal world yes, it would be great to be able to just turn up with a load of your mates and have a kick-about. The problems start when either of the local organisations whether it be the running club or one of the many local football sides have perhaps booked the facility and turn up whilst there are users on the pitch. Can you really expect those who were playing on the pitch initially to shut up shop midway through their game and let the others on even though they are using the facility for free and those who have booked have paid...............I think not!

[joe_ruesgen]

You absolutely can kick them off. When you book the field you should be given a piece of paper (a permit) that tells you all the booking details (date, time, etc.) that you can show to anyone on the casually using the field at that time. This is the system that they use here and I have yet to see any problems arise. As long as everyone is aware of this system there should be no issues.

I think having the blackout times for certain groups, however, is a good idea and would allow for casual users to know when they can get on the field for an unorganized kickabout and when the field will be out of use. The last thing that I would want to see would be the field being unused with the gates locked because some kids don't have any money to pay for it.

[Kintyre Forum News]

Argyll & Bute Council sadly informed us today that the park was closed for 4 hours this afternoon as they cleared glass from the pitch after someone smashed a bottle against the fence speading glass on to the pitch. The Council are studying CCTV evidence. Perhaps we have an all weather pitch but not idiot proof.

[Ags]

Well done Sports Council the AWP looks brilliant! Having a daughter rather than a "footballing" son I maybe haven't been as involved as I should have been but hats off to you all, it looks great!
(Ps that is not a sarcastic comment....a genuine well done to all involved)!!

[devontoffee]

It's nice for everyone to take the well desrved pats on the back for the pitch but come on we MUST be one of the last places in Scotland to have this sort of facility, well done but look how long other areas have had all weather pitches. I was listening to visitors who thought locals were winding them up about the pitch and were dumbstruck how excited everyone was about it.
When reflected on, kids aren't allowed to play in the streets anymore, even in their own back yards, without people complaining.Will kickaboutsl soon be a thing of the past, will individual styles be lost, will we only have kids playing in structured organised games with adults overseeing them and in control of tactics and supressing freedom of play?
Pay to play - I can think of better ways to encourage young people to take part in sports for lifelong health and wellbeing, keep asking people to pay to play and Scotland will carry on having the worst record in Europe for obesity, alcohol related illnesses, highest drug problem and highest incidence of cardiac problems, well done Argyll & Bute Council for foward thinking.
When Scotland loses 5 -1 to the Yanks maybe Joe is onto something regarding the way football is played and encouraged over there!!

[Ship called Dignity]

but come on we MUST be one of the last places in Scotland to have this sort of facility, well done but look how long other areas have had all weather pitches. I was listening to visitors who thought locals were winding them up about the pitch and were dumbstruck how excited everyone was about it.

That was the main argument of the campaign - that Campbeltown was the only place on mainland Argyll that didn't have an AWP surface. Can't remember the exact year but I think it was 1997, Campbeltown was identified as a priority 1 for the provision of an AWP. That sadly fell by the way side as a new secondary school was not delivered and the campaign in recent years gained new momentum when it was apparent that a new secondary school wasn't going to be provided soon. In 2009 we were told realistically a new school would be built by 2014 at the earliest and that was the earliest. Now in 2012 and it may even be 2016 before we have a new school but hopefully not. In terms of sports development (and the main business case to provide one outwith education based on football) the Council were pushed to provided this facility outwith education as waiting 5 years in 2009 until a new school is built is a life time in sports development at secondary school level. Easy to understand why some locals are excited about the pitch and equally understandable given the quality of the surface - easily the best surface in Argyll now and one of the best in Scotland.

Firstly, I don't know where they are getting their information on why regular running shoes can't be worn on the surface, this is complete nonsense. Studded shoes can be fine, but sofer running shoes are not? The high school that I coach at trains on a turf field and we tell our players that running shoes are fine (for fitness training, of course), never once been told by the administration or maintenance teams otherwise

Joe, it came as news to us too but the Council have went with a recommendation to maintain the surface in the long term and when you listen to the man who designed and project managed the delivery of the pitch here in Campbeltown it is understandable why they make these recommendations. Sustained use of flat surface footwear will damage the playing surface by basically flattening it through time - a bit like grass would if you kept on walking over and over it. The use of studded footwear will help maintain the pitch - it helps the artificial surface act like real grass by turning like grass and helps move the black crumble. As you know the grip is far better with studded footwear than moulded. Its great you've had the opportunity to play on these surfaces for so long and alot of your input added to the whole argument for the provision of the AWP, hopefully it won't be too long until you play on the one here along with your old "Meedaws" team mates!

I really don't see the issue with regards footwear if people genuinely want the surface to be maintained - afterall I wouldn't walk into the Vic with boots on nor would I expect to be allowed to play a game of golf at Machrihanish with a pair of studded football boots. Its may seem unfortunate that these rules have been implemented but even our precious footballers have to adhere them with many having to buy new boots. I know alot of the kids have had to so should be the same for all sports if that is the recommendation. JogScotland's attitude meets just that!

Incidentally the surface we have here in Campbetown is a 3G FIFA 2* synthetic pitch - what many are calling elsewhere incorrectly as 4G. "4G" surfaces are being designed in Switzerland but have not been accredited by UEFA or FIFA with concern that this surface (that does not include the black crumble) causes more injuries etc. As such SportScotland do not support any funding for these type of surfaces and as a result of waiting so long for the pitch here we have the same surface used by professional teams like the one at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.

[elainemck]

Well it's been a long road to get here but I am ever so pleased the AWP is now finally here and is looking great! It's brilliant to see people playing on it and enjoying it - finally The sports council and many others really campaigned hard for a long time to get this facility which Campbeltown had missed out on before, hopefully this will really benefit our community. Of course, with football being the predominant sport in Campbeltown it will probably be used for this most of the time but it is more than adequate for MANY other sports and hopefully these will flourish in the coming months and years.

It was disappointing to learn that we have to get 'special' shoes and that trainers were unacceptable but understand the reasons why and know if we want to make use of the facility we will have to buy a pair of rubber studded type shoes . Wee Toon Sports have quite a few on offer just now. If footballers can train in them then so can we

Well done to everyone who has worked so tirelessly in making this happen for the Wee Toon .

Thanks Pans Lass, I think you said it perfectly - We were all, sports council, a bit disappointed (and suprised) by the instruction that running trainers cannot be used but this has come from the contractors as a condition to ensure that the pitch is maintained for the future so it's something we will need to adhere to to keep it good which I'm sure everyone will understand. Campbeltown running club also hope to use the facility in the future in the winter months and I will personally use it as an excuse to buy some new 'special' trainers

[WC1]

And maybe everyone could get them here in Wee Toon Sports, rather than in the city or on-line. Keep the home fires burning!

[Ship called Dignity]

And maybe everyone could get them here in Wee Toon Sports, rather than in the city or on-line. Keep the home fires burning!

Yes, and they'll keep you right in what is the correct footwear.

Good to see hockey being played on the pitch today.