A thriving sports hub’s plans to create Kirkcaldy’s first 3G pitches which are fully accessible to the community have taken a huge step forward.

Kirkcaldy Community Football Partnership has secured planning permission from Fife Council to make the changes at Denfield Park.

It plans to convert its main full-size pitch, and disused and dilapidated ash park to create two new full size 3G synthetic pitches with floodlighting - and that will open up the facility to many teams and organisations.

The partnership covers five clubs and 24 teams, with around 400 players and 130 volunteers currently using the facilities, but the new pitches will open the door to many more across the community.

How the new 3G pitches at Denfield Park could look (Pic: Submitted)

placeholder image — How the new 3G pitches at Denfield Park could look (Pic: Submitted)

The development will be carried out in two phases.

Phase one replace the ash park with a full-size floodlit 3G pitch, providing a reliable and high quality playing surface that can be used throughout the year - allowing football to continue through winter months when grass and ash pitches often become unusable. Phase two is a future community sports hub with a second 3G pitch, expanding the facility further, and allowing even greater access for local clubs, schools and community organisations.

Together, the two pitches would create one of the most significant grassroots football facilities in the area.

Work is well underway to secure key funding, and the partnership is liaising with partners, national sporting bodies and local supporters to bring the vision to life.

The new pitches would be floodlit (Pic: Submitted)

Robert Main, who chairs the organisation, said: “This is a huge step forward for the partnership. There is huge demand for the pitches across the community which are available to all. To get 3G pitches means we can open them up to under-served communities, and target clubs which don’t have grass facilities in their area.”

The partnership sees the potential for huge benefits across the town as it reaches out across all its districts.

The 3G pitches will deliver a multi sports facility for full size matches, and can be partitioned for various user groups where many more people across all ages and background, can benefit.

“We can also change them around - they can be split into thirds for use by different clubs at the same time,” said Robert. “We reckon they have the potential to have 1500 participants here each week.”

The new facility will also deliver improved access for women and girls and also makes provision for under represented groups - as well as open up community engagement, particularly for the surrounding socially deprived neighbourhoods of Sinclairtown, Gallatown, Templehall, Smeaton North and Linktown.

They will be the only 3G pitches available seven days a week to the community, and floodlights mean they can be used across extended hours, with the all-weather surface minimising the issue of cancelled games during adverse weather.

The plans for were formally approved last week - the latest step in getting SFA approval for the ambitious project.

And Mr Main had nothing but praise for the local authority’s key role.

“I cannot thank Fife Council enough for all it has done to help us,.” he said. “It has given us huge support. Without the council, this would not be happening. The officers and Councillors Ian and Alistair Cameron have been exceptional.”

> For more information visit https://kirkcaldycfp.com/