Momentum appears to be gathering behind a project to build an all-weather sports pitch at Gatehouse Primary School.
Gatehouse Development Initiative is backing the scheme which has secured £80,000 from the council’s coastal benefit fund.
GDI views the all-weather multi-use games area (MUGA) as an important addition to local sporting amenities, particularly for young people.
However, support for the pitch is not universal with some residents in the nearby Baker’s Dozen cul-de-sac strongly opposed.
GDI chairperson David Steel said: “Gatehouse does not have an all weather playing surface.
“A MUGA would provide a much-needed and widely supported all-weather facility for use primarily by the school but also by other groups.
“The all-weather surface would be particularly useful in winter when the playing field can be quite muddy.
“Access would be strictly controlled outside school hours.”
Baker’s Dozen opponents of the MUGA claim it would mean noise disturbance and light pollution – and want it placed at Garries Park instead.
Spokesperson Howard McLean told Gatehouse Community last month that the group supported a games area – just not at the school. He said: “We are concerned particularly because of the proximity to residential housing.
“We are also concerned about light pollution, out of school activities and unauthorised out of school activities.
“As a group of residents we all want to go forward with this.
“But it’s how we do it and where we do it that matters.”
GDI member Tarena Dickie, who is leading on the project, said Garries Park had already been ruled out as an option, citing concerns over cost, security and accessibility.
She said: “It’s much better sited at the school because the teachers can police it.
“And it’s much more difficult to take children up to Garries Park.
“Contrary to rumours being stated to local residents nearby it won’t be a five-court MUGA.
“That would be massive and would fill the whole school pitch. That’s not the case at all.
“The MUGA will only have one court or pitch and be the same size as the tennis court outside the town.
“It’s not as if it’s going to be a football stadium.”
Ms Dickie said £87,250 of the estimated £160,000 to £180,000 cost had already been raised including £80,000 from the council’s coastal benefit fund.
She added: “The MUGA going to be sited at the back of the school which is at least 50 metres away from the houses.
“And it would be screened by trees and shrubs. After school we are just going to open it up to local groups and it will be very well managed.
“We are delighted that the local authority has backed the MUGA proposal.
“It is widely supported in the community.
“A lot of hard work time and effort has gone into this community led project so far.
“We will work hard on more funding applications over the next month.”
