Sports clubs given tour of 3G pitch ahead of December opening
PLAYERS and coaches from local football and rugby clubs have been given a first look at the new 3G pitch in Lerwick.
Representatives from a number of different clubs were given a tour of the £1.46 million project late on Thursday afternoon.
The new pitch, which is set to be called the Clickimin ‘North Loch’ pitch, is set to be formally opened in December.
It will also soon be open for the first training bookings, and will be available for use throughout the winter.
Construction on the 3G surface began at the end of March, with sports clubs eagerly awaiting the news that it would be open to the public.
It has line markings for both football and rugby union, with the rugby posts permanently installed and moveable goals for football.
The playing surface uses an organic infill material of grains made from the cob of sweetcorn – thought to be the first full size pitch in Scotland to use this type of material.
Of the £1.46m dedicated to the project, £690,000 has come from Shetland Islands Council.
The rest of the funding came from Scottish Football Association (£500k), sportscotland (£200k), Scottish Rugby Union (£50k), with both Shetland football and rugby associations committing £10,000 each.
Keep Shetland’s news open to everyone
Your membership helps us report the stories that matter to Shetland — and keep them free for everyone to read.
