Start of construction on 3G pitch pushed back again

CONSTRUCTION work on a new all-weather 3G pitch for football and rugby looks set to be pushed back another month.

Work had initially been due to begin on the £1.46 million project at the start of January, but that was pushed back to the middle of February.

The council’s sports and leisure manager Neil Watt said last month they were waiting until “the weather is starting to improve and Up Helly Aa has passed”.

However it now appears that construction will only get started on replacing the existing Clickimin rugby pitch in March.

A report set to come before councillors at the education and families committee on Monday says that it has been agreed to start work at the beginning of next month.

That came following an “introductory meeting with the contractor” and the council in January.

The 3G pitch, which can be used for both football and rugby, has secured a large amount of external funding.

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But the pitch must be in place by 30 June 2025 to ensure the project receives the full £500,000 funding pledged by Scottish Football Association.

According to the papers set to go before councillors next week, the pitch project is expected to be completed in June and is “likely to meet” the target set.

The £1.46 million project was finally given the go-ahead in December 2024, with Shetland Islands Council set to put £690,000 in towards the costs.

The Scottish Football Association has pledged £500,000, with sportscotland committing £200,000.

Scottish Rugby has added £50,000, with both Shetland Rugby and Shetland Football Association putting £10,000 in.

Shetland Football Association president Jakob Eunson said he was not aware of the construction date being pushed back, but said he was due to get an update on the project this week.