SKSC delighted
with Council's new pitch hire charges Share
South Kintyre Sports Council are delighted with the news
that the recent new charges on pitch hires implemented with
effect from 1st April 2010 by Argyll & Bute
Council have been reviewed with the local authority putting
together a new scale of charges.
There was outcry by sports clubs throughout Argyll recently
when the new pitch hires prices were announced which
resulted in clubs paying £60 per pitch hire – a 90% increase
on the 2009/10 hire price.
An official directive from the Council this week has advised
area offices and sports clubs on the new prices as follows;
-
If a club book a pitch, requesting it lined and the
changing room facilities (where an attendant is required
to open and close and also clean out the facility), the
charge is £60.00.
-
If a club wish to book a pitch, requesting the pitch to
be lined and do not require the changing facilities, or
in the case of Campbeltown/Rothesay the club lease or
use the changing room facilities provided by another
group, the charge for the pitch would be at the
concession rate of £30.00.
-
If a club book a pitch, requesting the pitch does not
require to be lined and do not require any changing
facilities, this can be charged at the training rate of
£15.00.
A spokesperson for the Sports Council said “We are delighted
the Council has listened to the concerns of our member clubs
and reviewed their charges accordingly. As soon as the new
prices were made public we wrote to the Council raising our
concerns and highlighted that Campbeltown did not enjoy the
luxury of council owned changing facilities and a council
attendant/grounds man who opened changing rooms and put up
nets. We spoke to Argyll & Bute Council and the Council
leader Dick Walsh last week to again raise our concerns. We
highlighted the detrimental effect the charges would have on
to youth football (CDJFA) and our amateur teams who play in
the Scottish Amateur Football League. Teams in the
Campbeltown and District Amateur Football League were also
contemplating playing their games outside Campbeltown to
avoid the increases. We want to promote sport in Argyll and
if we want to see the introduction of the likes of shinty
and rugby again in Campbeltown, clubs need to be able to
afford the cost of hires.
The fact that we have no All Weather Pitch means grass parks
are fundamental to the development of sport in our area. We
will continue to work with the local council officers to
ensure our facilities continually improve. The Council have
confirmed they are looking at the purchase of portable goals
for the Meadows to ensure pitches are maintained.”
Argyll & Bute Council stated “It is important however, that
clubs recognise the importance of sensible use of pitches.
Given that clubs can now hire a pitch for £15 clubs should
ensure they book the park if they wish to train on the
actual pitch. Alternatively there are plenty of areas on
both the Meadows and Kinloch Green that can be used for
training which does not damage the pitches. Clubs who leave
litter on or around the pitches following their hire will be
subjected to a ban on future hires as the mess following
some games is terrible”
South Kintyre Sports Council added “By this we all ensure
the parks are properly managed and also allows our sporting
community to make stronger arguments on improvements based
on the usage.” |
