Work starts on Campbeltown’s all weather pitch

[joe_ruesgen]

My only hope is that the AWP will be open for everyone to use whenever it is free. If someone rents the field then they obviously will get to use the field and kick anyone else off. The reason I say this is I remember back to a few years ago when they used to lock the goal posts with chains and padlocks to stop anyone using the goals without renting the field.

[WC1]

Joe, are you suggesting that anyone who likes should be able just to go on and use the pitch whenever it's not in use by groups who have booked and paid for using it? In which case, why should anyone book and pay for using it?

[joe_ruesgen]

Joe, are you suggesting that anyone who likes should be able just to go on and use the pitch whenever it's not in use by groups who have booked and paid for using it? In which case, why should anyone book and pay for using it?

That is exactly what I am suggesting. For example, if you have an 11 v 11 game you want to organize, however, there are a group of kids playing "cross and volley" in one of the goals, by you having the permit you would be able to kick them off the field (for lack of a better term) and use the field for your game.

If you can only get on the field by paying to reserve it, then how can a group of 5 young kids ever get to use it? Im pretty sure they wont be able to afford it and their parents wouldn't be too happy about forking out for their kickabout. It would also ensure that the field is being used all the time and people are getting as much benefit as possible out of it. Happens with all the fields over here and it is a solid system.

[Kintyre Forum News]

After years of community campaigning the gates to the new state of the art 3G pitch on Kinloch Green opened last night as local groups came together for an information session.

The “official” opening of the pitch however, will be 21st September 2012 when officials of Argyll & Bute Council and partnership funders SportScotland will come together to formally open the new pitch that boasts 1 x Full Size Pitch and 2 x 7 Aside Pitches – which will shortly be UEFA accredited meaning SFA, SAFA and SYFA matches can be played on the surface. (the same surface Celtic played Helsinki on last week in their Champions League Qualifying match) The facility will also include a totally refurbished changing room on Kinloch Green that has 4 individual changing rooms, referees room and maintenance shed.

In the meantime a “bedding in period” is required and the pitch is open for public use – simply go along, pay £1 per person and try it out. (Since last night the Council have accepted some sort of booking system will be required such is the interest in bookings already (£1 per person until formal booking charges are implemented after the official opening on 21st September 2012))

Willie Young, Leisure Services Manager advised that various local groups and schools will receive priority bookings during the following times

• Up to 4pm on school days, the Secondary School and Primary Schools in the area will have priority and FREE access.

• Between 4pm and 6pm, educational groups such as school clubs, active schools etc will have priority and FREE access.

• Between 6pm and 8pm, youth and juvenile groups will have priority booking.

• Between 8pm and 10pm, adult groups will have priority booking.

The charges from 21st September, when booking procedures will be formalised are as follows

Full Pitch : £46.50 Adults/£34.00 Juniors
Half Pitch : £34.00 Adults/£20.00 Juniors
Third of a pitch (7aside) : £23.55 Adults/£17.00 Juniors
Full Pitch Matches (2 hours):£80.00 Adults/£40.00 Juniors
With Pavilion : £100.00 Adults/£50.00 Juniors

• All sessions (except full pitch bookings) will be 50 minutes to allow clearing of the pitch and changeover

• Sporting organisations paying for 10 sessions in advance may be exempted of VAT (see conditions of let)

• To qualify for the junior rate all members of the team/group must be under 16 or under 18 and in full time education

Willie Young explained that the last thing the Council they want is to see the facility lying not being used but the Council were keen to protect the interests of educational and sports groups. He said “This is to simply give some areas priority. If there is no demand or indeed bookings from groups in any of these slots then of course it will be open to booking. It will take a wee while to settle down – we’re under no illusion about that. But we want to engage with the public and organised groups and feedback is welcome to improve what is a top class facility that Campbeltown has waited long enough for.”

A three year maintenance plan is also part of the pitch that will ensure the rubber crumble on the pitch is evenly distributed on a weekly basis ensuring the pitch carpet retains its high quality. Maintenance will also include keeping the park tidy of litter and leaves as well as grass cutting around the facility.

The Council acknowledged the concern of some people – the goals for the 7 aside pitches are indeed 5 aside goals and new goals have been ordered. This will take approx 4 weeks which will tie in with the cutting of holes for corner flags too.

The Council will also adopt a strict policy on the correct footwear being used on the pitch - only rubber studs, moulded boots or rubber blades will be allowed on the surface; no flat surface trainers, metal studs or metal blades will be allowed on the pitch – this is to protect and maintain the high quality playing surface. The manufacturer and supplier of the synthetic 3G pitch have given the Council their conditions and maintenance regime to ensure longevity, guarantee and safety of users on the 3G synthetic pitch and these include the conditions that screw-in studs, metal/metal tipped studs and ordinary trainers of any kind are not allowed and as such the Council have to ensure these conditions are met and they would appreciate your understanding and co-operation. Wee Toon Sports in Campbeltown will be able to advise on the correct footwear required.

The pitch has already proved to be a huge success with games being organised amongst friends via social networking sites and discussion on potential 7 aside leagues etc being set-up.

[joe_ruesgen]

What happens if me and 3 of my friends feel like a kickabout and there is no one on the field, can we use it without having to pay?

[bud]

brilliant! few of my friends were on it last night and said it is awsome!

[WC1]

What happens if me and 3 of my friends feel like a kickabout and there is no one on the field, can we use it without having to pay?

Joe, I see where you're coming from, and you and your pals are undoubtedly responsible enough to respect the pitch and use it in ways that don't risk damaging it, but can you guarantee that all casual users looking for a kick-about will do the same? Some of the 'rules' look quite important to me:-

screw-in studs, metal/metal tipped studs and ordinary trainers of any kind are not allowed and as such the Council have to ensure these conditions are met

Why is this?

The manufacturer and supplier of the synthetic 3G pitch have given the Council their conditions and maintenance regime to ensure longevity, guarantee and safety of users on the 3G synthetic pitch and these include the conditions that screw-in studs, metal/metal tipped studs and ordinary trainers of any kind are not allowed

In other words, if you fail to ensure these rules are followed your guarantee is null and void. So if you and your pals want a kick-about when no-one else is using the pitch, you are going to have to go elsewhere . . .

[LeftBackOnTheTeamBus]

Was on it yesterday - one of the best artificial pitches I've ever played on!

[Isa]

you are going to have to go elsewhere . . .

As has most of the public WC1 who have been excluded by this project taking up a huge area of what is supposed to be a public park.

On the positive side it is good that the "Sport" Council have finally came out the closet and called it what it is, a football pitch. I think the public were duped into thinking it was going to be a sport venue so that they would support it. I can't see runners, joggers or tennis players not wearing trainers but then it was never intended for the wider sports activities, was it?

[Ship called Dignity]

What happens if me and 3 of my friends feel like a kickabout and there is no one on the field, can we use it without having to pay?

Joe, I think to ensure the facility is properly maintained and managed this insn't an option. What possibly is an option is for the Council to continue with the option there is now for you to turn up and pay £1 each for a kick about. I'd imagine someone can raise the question of this option will continue as I certainly enjoyed going on last night for a kick about with a couple of kids.

you are going to have to go elsewhere . . .

As has most of the public WC1 who have been excluded by this project taking up a huge area of what is supposed to be a public park.

On the positive side it is good that the "Sport" Council have finally came out the closet and called it what it is, a football pitch. I think the public were duped into thinking it was going to be a sport venue so that they would support it. I can't see runners, joggers or tennis players not wearing trainers but then it was never intended for the wider sports activities, was it?

I guess there is no way to respond to that without you taking my response the wrong way but here goes. At the end of the day there are people who aren't happy with the location but it wasn't something just picked at random. No other site was suitable and at the end of the day it wouldn't happen unless it was on the green (CHORD funding). In terms of your dig at the Sports Council, that's not fair at all given the transparency of the project over the years. If you cared to attend any of the meetings etc you would kow the main users calling out for this type of facility were footballers. It just happens to be the main sport in the town and had the worst facilities. It was always made clear what type of surface we were after and all sports clubs were aware of that (again if they weren't then there was lack of interest which says something in itself). Joggers, runners can still use it with the correct footwear. The main supporters of the facility were football organisations - that's just a matter of fact.

[Isa]

No other site was suitable and at the end of the day it wouldn't happen unless it was on the green (CHORD funding)

I am sure there were other available sites but it all came down to money and that was the deciding factor. I have nothing against this facility. It was needed but should not be where it is. Just my opinion

In terms of your dig at the Sports Council, that's not fair at all given the transparency of the project over the years.

It was never made clear that it would mainly be a football pitch. The word football was never in the reports. It was always classed as a AWP and it was advertised as being supported by the sports council.

I certainly enjoyed going on last night for a kick about with a couple of kids

I hope you had your footwear checked before going on? Will somebody be policing this rule on footwear? Just wondering.

[Walt Jabsco]

At long last the town has its own AWP. My son has played football for Lochgilphead for 2 years and has played on these types of surfaces, usually at brand new Secondary schools, and I am glad to say the Campbeltown one looks superb. The grammar school team played on a similar standard at Inverclyde Academy last year and up until the toon got its own,that was the best I had seen. Glad to see that there is a maintenance programme as they do look tired if not maintained, Oban High School and Hermitage in Helensburgh do not I believe get maintained.
As far as runners are concerned,and I must admit I am ignorant in this, would they want to run in a confined space doing repetitive laps? Maybe they would, I don't know.

[reid]

Thurso's AWP was a case of "no pay, no play" and it worked well in my opinion.

If you wanted to book the pitch/changing facilities then you went into or phoned the council offices and booked it, simple as that! They had someone that would come up, unlock the gate to the pitch, changing facilities and switch on the flood-lights. They would then come back at the end of the hire period and shut up shop! On the better evenings they would stay and watch us. I suppose this could be done the same or through the aqualibrium?

I have to add, the prices are a little on the expensive side compared to what they were up there..................

Anyway, I look forward to playing on it. Hopefully we can get a winter 7's or 11's league set up and make the most of it!

[ultraviolet]

Not even open a week and some people are at it already. Seriously, some people need to get a life! This has to be one of the best facility provided for young people in Campbeltown ever, who either like to participate in organised football or just a kick about with their mates. As I have read numerous times the facility can be used for rugby, shinty etc it just happens that in Campbeltown most men like football. My son went out yesterday and came home after playing on the pitch for 3 hours yesterday afternoon grinning like a Cheshire cat saying it is the best thing to happen in Campbeltown. Perhaps selfishly for him, but there were 20 of them who otherwise over the holidays have been doing little.

If you are that concerned about the runners how often do we see any of our local runners/joggers running about on grass never mind an artificial surface? They have endless miles of road and pavement which they can use free and anytime they wish.Why all of sudden would there existence come down to using an all weather pitch? Just be happy for the young people for once.

[Isa]

Ultraviolet because I don't agree with you doesn't mean I "need to get a life" or that I am selfish. You shouldn't make your argument so personal. I have my opinion and you have yours.