A FOOTBALL club is fighting to save its 100-year-old grass field from being replaced with a plastic pitch and has urged the local authorities to “reconsider” their proposal.
Fortrose and Rosemarkie Union FC have called on the Highland Council not to replace the team's existing grass playing field with a new artificial pitch.
The plans for the new artificial playing surface at the King George V Playing Field are part of a multi-million-pound upgrade to facilities for the local high school, Fortrose Academy, and the wider community.
The club has said it is “fully behind” an artificial pitch for the local community but has urged the council to consider an alternative site, adding that the redevelopment of the sporting facilities should not come at the expense of its existing historic grass park.
In a statement posted to social media, the club said: “As a club, we do not agree with the proposal to replace the existing grass playing field. The loss of a grass park and our home of over 100 years is not something we can support.
“With the inception of the Fortrose & Rosemarkie Youth FC are fully behind good a 3G facility in the local area as without a doubt over the winter months this will be of huge benefit to the club and other local clubs.
“However, we believe this should not come at the expense of the existing grass playing field.”
The statement went on to explain that a natural grass pitch “provides an important facility for local clubs, children, and the wider community”.
It continued: “We believe there should be proper consideration of alternative locations or options that would allow a 3G facility to be developed at the existing school field and perhaps utilising the scrub land between the school field and the new houses.
“We would therefore encourage Highland Council to reconsider the current proposal and engage meaningfully with the clubs and members of the local community who use and value the King George V Playing Field.
“Our position is straightforward: we support investment in football and sporting facilities, but we do not support losing the King George V grass playing field in order to achieve it.
“We will continue to make our views known and represent the interests of our players, members and the wider local football community throughout this process.”
Following the club’s statement a Highland Council spokesperson said they had considered the schools playing fields, according to The Ross-shire Journal.
However, they added it was “not possible” to fit the 3G football pitch alongside the running track and rugby pitch.
The spokesperson added: “As King George V playing field currently carters for football changing the surface from grass to 3G increases the playing capacity of the pitch.
“A grass pitch is not recommended for more than eight hours of play a week, where as 3G is unlimited.
“On the request of school management team, we are reviewing the potential to locate the 3G pitch on the King George V playing field, retaining, athletics, rugby and football facilities for school and community use.”
They added: “It will still be possible to mark out a grass football pitch on the rugby pitch.
“The scrub land noted in the club’s statement has a significant fall from one side to the other and is out with the council’s ownership.”
