Latest progress with Bayview 3G pitch

Plans for a new community facility at East Fife are taking shape

The pitch is set to form the centrepiece of a much-needed community hub for the Levenmouth area and a range of services will be offered by FFTC with the support of East Fife FC, which is allowing use of most of the kitchen, lounge and meeting room facilities at Bayview.

Subject to the match requirements of EFFC, the pitch will be available to all individuals, groups, teams and charities.

The pitch installation is due to start as soon as the current season ends in early May and it’s hoped it will be completed by early July.

FFTC’s trustees are reflecting on the award of charity status, while former First Minister – and East Fife player – Henry McLeish has agreed to become FTTC president and take an active role.

An ‘in principle’ grant of £20,000 has been awarded to FFTC by the Football Partnership, said a spokesman, while funding applications to other sources have been lodged.

Visits have been made to several other community facilities, including those at Spartans in Edinburgh and Kelty Hearts.

FFTC have secured the services of Livingston-based Sportslabs which, supported by Fife Council, the SFA and EFFC, has prepared a detailed specification which recognises the need for a pitch to meet community use requirements but, at the same time, match strict SFA/FIFA standards.

FFTC has been in contact with Fife Council’s planning and building standards departments and the relevant warrant applications will be made early in the New Year,” added the spokesman.

“The specification will detail the construction/drainage of the pitch base, the 3G surface, an additional synthetic surface stretching from the pitch edge to the boundary walls,increased height fencing/netting around the boundary walls and ancillary equipment e.g. portable goalposts.

The specification with an invitation to quote will be sent to contractors before the end of December and the plan is that a successful contractor will be selected by early February. The final choice will be made with infeed by all parties listed above.”

The positioning of additional changing and office facilities is being investigated and it is planned that community access to the pitch will be through a new entrance created at the Ace Recovery end of the ground.

The spokesman added the existing changing facilities within Bayview would not be available for community use.