Renfrewshire community sports projects receive £2m funding boost
Two major community sports projects in Renfrewshire have hit the back of the net with a £2 million investment.
Renfrewshire Council has confirmed an allocation of £780,000 from its artificial pitches grant fund which will be more than match-funded by the Scottish Football Association's (SFA) Scottish Football facilities fund.
The cash will support the development of new artificial playing surfaces for Thorn Athletic Community Trust and Inchinnan Development Trust (IDT), with each organisation receiving £390,000 from the council.
There will also be £432,194 for Thorn and £667,906 for IDT from the SFA. The funding will help deliver high-quality, multi-sport facilities that will be fully inclusive and accessible to the local community.
A third project at Renfrew FC to upgrade and replace their current surface will be supported by £196,601 from the SFA and brings the total investment in Renfrewshire's artificial pitch provision to more than £2m.
The news is a huge boost to Johnstone-based Thorn who suffered last month when thousands of pounds worth of equipment was set alight in a shipping container at their Greenend Avenue base.
Alongside their extensive football programme, Thorn also demonstrated the provision of multi-sport activity and strong partnerships with other local community groups.
And the fresh surface will help meet the requirement for new artificial pitches in the area identified in the council's pitches strategy.
Mark McGee, chairperson of Thorn Athletic community Trust, said: 'Everyone at Thorn Athletic is overjoyed with this funding award and we realise the significance of it for everyone in the community.
'We look forward to developing our facilities, expanding what we can offer and increasing the social impact of our work. This will allow us to secure our footprint at the heart of Johnstone for decades to come.'
IDT will focus on Under-18s football through its relationship with St Mirren Youth Football Club while supporting other sports, including a partnership with Bishopton Rugby Club.
Maggie Morrison, operations and development manager at IDT, said: 'To say we are thrilled by this funding success would be an understatement. We are ecstatic and filled with excitement, with a healthy dose of nervous energy, too.
'Our first application to the SFA was not robust enough so I'm delighted that, after using the feedback to build a stronger foundation and harnessing the dedication of trust staff, volunteers and board members, we have been successful the second time around.
'We recognise it is vitally important we bring the entire community with us on this journey, delivering improved facilities while showing respect and consideration to our neighbours.
'We can't wait to begin delivering for the people of Renfrewshire one of the first fully recyclable, organically infilled artificial pitches in the West of Scotland. The future is looking green, sustainable, and incredibly bright.'
The grant fund was launched following a Renfrewshire Council budget commitment of £800,000 to improve outdoor sports provision across the area.
It was designed to support community-led organisations in delivering new artificial pitches – with a focus on sustainability, community benefit, and increasing participation in sport.
Applications were assessed against a robust set of criteria including community impact, project readiness, sustainability and alignment with local authority priorities.
Council officers will continue to work with Johnstone Burgh Community Club and Calderglen Community SCIO whose applications were not successful in exploring alternative funding opportunities and supporting them in developing their proposals further.
Councillor Andy Steel, who represents Johnston South and Elderslie, says that, although it was 'disappointing' to learn Burgh's application was rejected, seeing Thorn Athletic, IDT and Renfrew be successful was a positive.
Renfrewshire but, of course, I'm most pleased to see funding going into Johnstone.
'Thorn Athletic's bid met all the criteria and, especially after recent events, the funding will, I hope, be very welcome. 'I was disappointed the Burgh application was declined after scoring 89 per cent in the assessment – I'd settle for 89 per cent in a test anytime.
'However, council officers have told me that they will remain in contact with Burgh and ensure they receive support to apply if and when future funding is available.'
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