Crossford 'create' new sporting opportunities for all

Monday 7 June 2004

Crossford Recreation And The Environment (CREATE) are delighted to announce a turf cutting ceremony to mark commencement of work on the all weather sports multi-court at King George V Memorial Park, Crossford, Fife, on Friday 11 June 2004 at 10am.

The £90,000 project, supported by an award of £29,582 from sportscotland’s Lottery Fund Sports Facilities Programme, together with contributions from Fife Environmental Trust, New Opportunities Fund, Foundation for Sport and the Arts and Fife Council will provide the people of Crossford with a brand new all weather, floodlit multi-court which will incorporate five-a-side football, tennis, basketball, hockey and netball facilities.

Councillor James Simpson, a strong supporter of the project, will perform the official “turf cutting” and will be joined by a host of local councillors, representatives from the funding parties, members of CREATE and the local community to celebrate the commencement of work.

At present the park houses a large grass football pitch, however use of the pitch is restricted by weather conditions and hours of daylight. The construction of the new multi-court will provide the local community with an all year round training and participation venue, offering a broader spectrum of sporting activities.

The all weather multi-court is just one of a number of regeneration projects planned by CREATE, a local voluntary group formed in August 2000, who have been working closely with Fife Council to improve recreational facilities at King George V Memorial Park in Crossford.

After consultation with members of the community, local schools and Crossford Sports Club, CREATE proposed that an all weather multi-court would significantly benefit the area, providing a much needed sports facility to the community, and broadening the range of sports provided for in Crossford.

CREATE hopes that by making a variety of sports available, more residents of all ages and abilities, particularly the young people of Crossford, who currently have very few amenities available to them, will take part in some form of physical activity on a regular basis as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Doug Hay, Vice Chairman of CREATE said: “CREATE are very pleased to at last be able to deliver this part of their on-going programme to re-generate the King George V Park. The support from all areas of the community has been superb. From the Community Council, to the Sports Club, the School, Fife Council, the Scouts and Guides, Councillor Simpson, NPFA (Scotland), all have maintained their support for this project since CREATE was formed almost four years ago. Thanks should also go to the dedicated effort from our Chairman, John Hamilton, and the rest of the CREATE team, both past and present. It has taken a real community effort to make this possible.”

Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland added: “sportscotland is delighted to be part of this exciting project with an award of £29,582 from sportscotland’s Lottery Fund Sports Facilities Programme.

“The construction of the all weather multi-court will widen sporting opportunities for Crossford, introducing people of all ages and abilities to a range of sporting activities. We are confident that this new sports facility will be a great asset to the community when completed and will encourage more people to become more active, more often.”

The new facility, being constructed by DOE Sport Ltd., is due to be finished by the end of August 2004 and ready for use by the community in September 2004.

• The turf cutting ceremony will take place on Friday 11 June 2004 at 10am at King George V Memorial Park, Crossford, Fife, KY12 8NY.
• The turf cutting ceremony will be performed by James Simpson, Councillor for Crossford and Dunfermline Central.