Two Fife communities are coming together to develop a new multi-million-pound sports centre aimed at encouraging talent in the area.
Fife Youth Sports Academy is working with the Benarty and Lochgelly communities to build the £2 million facility at Ore Park in Glencraig.
The development would include a new multi-purpose pavilion – which would be home to a cafe and a function room – as well as a full-size astro turf pitch, a six-a-side pitch and a running track.
It is expected a planning application for the project will be submitted to Fife Council early in the new year.
It follows a community asset transfer of the park from the local authority to the sports academy.
The project would be developed over several phases, starting with the demolition of the existing buildings on the site – which have been described as an “eyesore” and are in a derelict state.
If approved, construction work is expected to start on site next summer.
Facility is ‘desperately needed’
As well as encouraging and developing young sporting talent in the area, it is hoped the academy would be able to support coaching staff and referees through accredited courses.
A spokesperson for Fife Youth Sports Academy said: “This facility is desperately needed in our community and despite all of us being unpaid volunteers – most with busy day jobs – we will work tirelessly to make this happen.
“It’s not often that two communities come together, particularly next door neighbours, to work with a joint aim but this project is capturing the hearts and minds of people within Benarty and Lochgelly and everyone is getting behind it.
“We’ve had some great comments from local residents, including from those living near to the development site, and all have been positive.”
How can locals find out more?
Fife Youth Sports Academy will be hosting an open day this Sunday (November 27) from noon to 4pm in the Miners’ Welfare Institute in Lochore.
On display will be detailed plans for the site and the pavilion, together with an artist’s impression of what the building will look like when it is finished.
Volunteers behind the project will also be on hand to answer any questions.
Conversation