Carluke sports stadium delayed again

The new 3.5 million arena — named after Carluke Rovers, Hearts and Scotland hero John Cumming, — was due to open next month.

However, it will be the new year before the brand new John Cumming Stadium, on Carnwath Road, can officially open for business.

A council spokeswoman said: "Unfortunately a third unrecorded mine shaft has been found on site.

"The new stadium is now scheduled to be handed-over to the council by the contractor in December and, following a short fit-out and commissioning period, it is intended that the new stadium will be fully operational by January 2011."

Plans were officially lodged for the new stadium in January 2009 after supermarket giant Tesco bought Loch Park Stadium, Rovers' current home, in a multi-million pound deal.

For more information on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Carluke Gazette which is in the shops now.