Netherdale Arena: Multi-sport hub boosted by pitch refresh
A multi-sport facility is always a vital hub in any community, especially in the Scottish Borders – given it is an area synonymous with rugby, as well as football.
The Netherdale Arena has catered for both sports since the 3G surface was first laid there in 2012, and with a new pitch required, Scottish Borders Council sought funding from a number of different avenues.
After applying for funding in December last year, they were selected to receive £125k from the Scottish FA’s Grassroots Pitch & Facilities Fund through the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which would go towards the installation of a brand, new 3G surface at Netherdale.
With the help of further backing from the Hayward Sanderson Trust and Live Borders, work on the Netherdale Arena pitch began towards the end of June and reached completion early August.
The project resulted in a new full-size 3G pitch, a five-a-side pitch and new floodlighting – with the Scottish FA funding going towards the main surface.
The new pitch will serve a diverse range of groups, from education organisations to sports clubs and according to Graeme McMurdo, Programme Manager – Business Change and Improvement, Scottish Borders Council, this was an important factor in the decision to renovate the facility.
He said: “Gala Fairydean train and play on the pitch and it is also used by other local clubs and groups including disability groups and walking football.
“The facility attracts college use from the local Borders College, while different rugby squads will train on the surface too.
“The diversity of those benefiting from the upgrade is a vital part of the criteria for securing DCMS support and it was a key factor in the renovation.”
McMurdo also believes that the Scottish FA funding for this project also means there will be a positive knock-on effect with the council having more money available for future developments.
He added: “Given the surface at the Netherdale Arena was coming to the end of its life, the DCMS funding, via the Scottish FA, was enormously beneficial to us.
“The council was preparing to make up the gap in the funding, but this investment means that we will now be able to upgrade not just Netherdale but also other facilities around the Borders, benefiting a number of communities.
“Netherdale was the first 3G pitch installed in the Borders and since then, a network of other pitches has been created. With many of these coming up for renewal any funding that we can source towards the replacement costs is a huge help. It ensures that Borders pitches can be replaced when required and maintained to a high standard.
Like Station Park in Forfar, the Netherdale Arena also serves as a recognised population hub in a rural area, attracting usage from around the Borders area, with this being another key component in its selection to receive the funding.