Inverclyde Council's Education and Lifelong Learning Committee has today approved plans to install a second all-weather pitch at Inverclyde Academy.

The original plan had been to have a grass pitch on the Greenock site which already boasts first-class gym and sports hall facilities along with the existing 2nd Generation pitch which can be used for hockey and football.

The new pitch is a 3rd Generation pitch exclusively for football.

Convener of Education and Lifelong Learning Councillor Iain McKenzie said: "It would have taken at least a year from seeding the pitch to anyone being able to play on it. We looked at laying turf but we realised it would not be cost effective to do this and it was decided to look at installing a 3G pitch.


'While more expensive to install it costs no more in maintenance and of course has the potential for many more games to be played on it during the course of the week.

'The Council has just spent a lot of money improving the pitch at Ravenscraig Stadium which is just a stones-throw away and would be available for matches that have to be played on grass. I think this is the best balance all round we can achieve.'

In discussions with the national agency for sport SportScotland it agreed that if the council provides this 3G pitch then the Council does not have to retain the two blaes pitches at the former Greenock High School site when it is sold in four years time.

Councillor McKenzie added: "SportScotland's decision means this project will pay for itself and we can deliver another all weather pitch at Inverclyde Academy for the benefit of pupils and the wider community.

"Sport is at the centre of our strategy to ensure a healthy future for the people of Inverclyde and a second all-weather surface at Inverclyde Academy will go a long way to achieving our aims."

(GK/KMcA)