Gussie Park: First Project to complete proves a game changer for local schools

The first project to reach completion was Dundee United’s Gussie Park, which re-opened in April following completion of Phase One of its renovation.

The redevelopment project cost over £300,000 and included a brand-new 4G pitch, perimeter fencing, UEFA-approved floodlights and new barriers to improve the spectator area.



Of the total investment, £100,000 came from the Scottish FA Grassroots Pitch and Facilities Fund, with that finance going towards the new synthetic surface for the facility. The rest of the costs were covered by funding from the Dundee United Supporters’ Foundation (DUSF) and United owner Mark Ogren.

Since the redevelopment, Gussie Park has been the home of Dundee United’s women’s side, who compete in the SWPL, and the club’s academy sides who play within the Scottish FA’s Club Academy Scotland programme.

As well as these teams, the complex also supports the vast majority of Dundee United Community Trust’s on-field activities, including Mini Kickers, Football Fans in Training (FFIT), Walking Football and Para-Football.

The works took place in just under four months, with the pitch renovation taking around eight weeks to complete.

One of the interesting aspects of this particular facility, is the fact that four local schools are within walking distance, and pupils at these schools are reaping the benefits in Physical Education lessons – especially as none of these schools had pitches attached to them, with the majority of lessons taking place in games halls prior to the completion of Phase One.

Jamie Kirk, Chief Executive, Dundee United Community Trust, has described the revamped facility as ‘game-changing’.

He said: “We were in quite a unique position where the club was actually ready to complete the work as the funding became available so we were primed and ready to go.

“Scottish FA took care of everything with regards to the surface – we are the main beneficiary but we didn’t have to do any of the managing of the contractors.

“The club were ready to push the button on the funding, so when the Scottish FA money came, what the club did is re-invested what they were going to invest to the facility.

“They have been able to do any work on the changing rooms and general infrastructure so we are obviously seeing a benefit of that ripple-down effect, so it’s made quite an impact.

“It’s such an asset to us, honestly. Receiving this sort of money is game-changing for us. As I mentioned earlier, the ripple down effect of what the club have then invested back in after receiving that funding makes it something quite special for people in the community to access.

“Pretty much all our trust activities utilise the surface at some point during the year. Physical Education is the main user - there’s a lot of primary aged children and there’s additional support needs within that.

“The message that we have been getting from the kids and the parents is that they feel they are coming to a proper Dundee United venue.”