Croy lands£1m ‘hub’

CONFIRMATION came this week that Croy will officially become the home of a new £1 million sports pitch and complex.

Work is set to start on the long awaited development in the coming weeks after planning permission was given by North Lanarkshire Council last November.

It is hoped the project will reinvigorate Croy and its proud sporting heritage.

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The facility is funded by North Lanarkshire Council, sportscotland and Aggregate Industries, and will see the construction of a FIFA and UEFA-approved 3G surface plus a two-storey pavilion to house changing rooms and meeting rooms for community sports clubs.

Jim Logue, learning and leisure services chairman said: “This has taken considerable time and effort to bring to fruition, but it’s been worth it.

“The facility will act as a sports hub and a focus for multi-sport activity, outdoor pursuits and links with sports clubs in schools. “It will be a catalyst bringing together the range of aspirations around developing sport and physical activity in Croy village, and surrounding areas.”

The use of artificial turf surfaces has become increasingly popular in council- run projects, allowing for year-round usage with minimal upkeep needed.

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Sportscotland chief executive, Stewart Harris added: “The new 3G pitch and pavilion development in Croy will provide a fantastic opportunity to develop strong links between local clubs and schools. Sportscotland will continue to work closely with North Lanarkshire Council on the project throughout the construction stage, and will consider how the new facilities could work as a community sport hub in the future.”

The state-of-the-art pitch will be floodlit and surrounded by a 5m high secure fence with access gates for pedestrian and maintenance vehicles along with floodlighting.

Climbers using the nearby Auchinstarry Quarry will also be able to use the pavilion. A second phase of work could involve further development of the quarry, which is set to close in 2012, providing outdoor adventure sports and a base for leadership training.