Three new synthetic grass pitches will be created in East Lothian following the awarding of the construction contract by the council.

The new pitches will be sited at Foresters Park, Tranent, Pinkie Playing Fields, Musselburgh and Whittingehame Drive, Haddington.

Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Cllr Ruth Currie, said: “The new pitches are the latest 3rd generation turf pitches which combine the durability and flexibility of artificial surfaces with the feel and texture of natural grass pitches. This means that local athletes will be able to train all year round on surfaces which mimic the best grass turf pitches. This investment, which has been supported by Sportscotland funding, will provide East Lothian with some of the best training facilities to be found anywhere in the UK.”

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The construction of the three pitches is the first phase of the council’s ‘Legacy Project’ which is to create sports facilities to inspire and encourage participation as part of Scotland’s hosting of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

A successful application for £1m Sportscotland funding was made in October 2010 towards the legacy project and an award of £600,000 has been made for this first phase to construct the pitches with the remaining £400,000 allocated for upgrading at Meadowmill sports centre.

Cllr Currie added: “The council has consulted widely with sports clubs and associations across the county and the response to our proposals has been extremely positive. Glasgow hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games has provided a focus on local sport which will benefit both current and future athletes.”

(GK)