Sport / Hockey association backs idea of new pitch in Lerwick
SHETLAND Hockey Association has given its backing to plans for a new hockey facility in Lerwick – which would see the current surface in Brae used as a football pitch instead.
The association said that a 13-2 majority of member clubs were in favour of the Brae hockey pitch being used as a synthetic football surface, if a new hockey pitch is built in the centre of Lerwick.
The Shetland Islands Council (SIC) proposal has divided opinion, with many people in the North Mainland keen to keep a hockey pitch in the area.
Currently there is just one hockey surface in the isles, with Shetland Hockey long calling for a centralised pitch to be built in Lerwick.
It comes with the SIC currently consulting on two prospective options regarding the hockey pitch, in relation to plans for a new school in Brae.
One option is for the SIC to potentially purchase the Brae hockey pitch from Shetland Recreational Trust (SRT) and resurface it for football, and create a new 3G hockey pitch in Lerwick.
Another is to build a new synthetic football pitch on the current school site once the old buildings are demolished.
In a statement online, Shetland Hockey said it could “recognise the long-standing connection” that some people have to the Brae hockey pitch.
However it said that it had, as an association, a “responsibility to consider what is best for the long-term future of hockey” in Shetland.
“Our view is that a centrally located facility in Lerwick provides the greatest opportunity to improve access for young players, increase participation, strengthen development pathways and support the future growth of the sport,” it said.
It added that this would now be Shetland Hockey’s official position in discussions with the SIC.
And it said there was a “clear expectation” among its members that junior training and development hockey should still be allowed to take place on any new synthetic football pitch in Brae.
The association added that members also expressed a “strong requirement for appropriate welfare facilities” to be included as part of the wider synthetic sports area in Lerwick which would support all users of the site, including football, rugby and hockey.
Councillors narrowly agreed by a vote of 11 to eight to carry out an options appraisal on the potential for a new hockey pitch in Lerwick.
If eventually approved, it would be built on the site next to the new North Loch Park 3G football and rugby pitch in town.
The outcome of this appraisal will be reported to councillors at a future meeting, where a decision will be taken on the preferred option to move forward.
The deadline for responses to a survey about the Brae hockey pitch was Wednesday.
Shetland Hockey added that it will “remain committed to working with all clubs and communities across Shetland to ensure that hockey continues to develop and thrive”.
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