The chairman of East Fife FC has said a new stadium will take the club “10 years forward” if the development goes ahead.
Talking exclusively to The Courier, Sid Collumbine gave an update on the proposed plan that would see the club move from their Bayview home to a new £5 million stadium at Durievale near Windygates.
Part of a wider plan that would also see the construction of a hotel, restaurant and sports facilities, Mr Collumbine maintains the project is on track so far, despite concerns from supporters over the rationale behind moving from a ground that is still relatively modern in footballing terms.
Preparation is ongoing, he said, ading, “We’re just going through the processes. We’ve had the road assessments which are OK and the environment one as well and then there will be a 12-week consultation.
“We need to get everybody’s support, though.”
Funding for the project would come via a land-switch deal with developer Muir Homes, who would take over land at Bayview stadium.
The aim is that any cost to East Fife would be negligible with a finance package attached to the land swap deal and community grants expected to cover the total cost.Artificial pitchThe proposed stadium would feature a ‘fourth-generation’ artificial surface, with a similar synthetic training pitch and a grass pitch, also for training, included in the plans.
However, a major aspect is that facilities will be open to the community for use throughout the week.
Mr Collumbine added, “We need to try and get this through. Things are tough for football clubs right now and they can’t just survive on revenue they get once a fortnight.
“This would take East Fife 10 years forward and put us above a lot of first division clubs.
“There’s a big demand for these kind of facilities in the area and they would be open to the public seven days a week and generate money for the football club.”ObstacleHowever, a major obstacle stands in the way of the dream in the form of supermarket giant Tesco. With the chain having outlined its desire to move to the same location and a belief that the two projects would not be allowed to co-exist, Collumbine admits moving the football club is far from cut and dried.
That may be music to the ears of some die-hard supporters, many of whom would like to see terracing installed at their current ground instead of moving away from the Methil area.
Not ruling out that possibility should plans to move to Durievale collapse, the Fifers’ chairman added that the outcome of the proposals may depend on what size of store Tesco would like to build in the area.
Mr Collumbine said, “If we don’t move then we will develop Bayview and make it larger.”