Johnstone Burgh given green light for stadium renovation after Junior Cup joy

Daily Record

09-06-2025

Keanie Park will be undergoing a revamp after Renfrewshire Council planning department gave the club the go-ahead to transform the pitch from grass to astroturf
Major plans to renovate Johnstone Burgh's Keanie Park ground have been given the green light.
The application by the Scottish Junior Cup winners, which was approved by Renfrewshire Council's planning department, outlines how the club want to replace the four floodlight columns, rip up the grass pitch in favour of a fourth-generation astroturf surface and have an all-seater stand.
‌
There will also be engineering works, portable toilet blocks and outdoor landscaping.
‌
Chairman Brian Williams believes that, while it is sad to be losing the grass park, the positives of having an artificial field outweigh the negatives.
He told the Paisley Daily Express: 'It's kind of twofold because obviously it helps the club in a massive way as it allows us to have a surface which is more reliable all year round.
'Ideally, football should be played on grass, but we live in Scotland and it rains constantly. So, to maintain a grass park during that is quite hard to do.
'But second, and probably the main reason why we're changing the pitch surface, is because obviously it's a community club for the kids.
'The lack of facilities in Johnstone probably shows up at the moment. We have to do it ourselves and bring the kids indoors and basically make the club a full community club.'
In the papers submitted to the council's planning department by the West of Scotland League Premier Division side, the local authority said that switching to an astro pitch would have 'no visual amenity issues of substance', with the new stand proving to have 'no significant visual concerns'.
‌
Burgh announced the planned redevelopment of Keanie Park in April 2024 – a year after the club received significant investment as part of a bid to reach the professional level of the game.
Williams added that some of the changes are being made with a vision of gaining entry-level status for the SPFL. He said: 'The first lot of work we'll be doing will be the lights and hopefully we'll have them by the start of the season.
'After that, it's our toilet block, which are the main two things we need as part of the licensing to allow us to be promoted next season.'
‌
Johnstone South councillor, and Burgh supporter, Andy Steel is thrilled about the news of the plans being approved – with the politician particularly excited about off-street parking being tackled.
He said: 'I welcome this decision because I think this project has the potential to allow the Burgh to develop the site and the club to fit their vision, but also to address some local issues which have been long standing.
'In particular, the creation of off-street parking ought to help address the problems residents have had at times with fans deciding that they are going to park where they like. That's been highly inconsiderate so I hope this will reduce that problem.
'A revamped pavilion will lift the look of the wider area, while seating in the cowshed will be welcomed by those of us on the wrong side of 50.
'The creation of all-weather surfaces will not only drive revenue for Burgh and prevent postponements, but provide another resource for the many teams in our area who are always on the lookout for somewhere to play.'