Work has begun on a new sports pavilion at Colinton Mains Park.

The City of Edinburgh Council approved plans to create the new £1m facility in September 2009 and the project is due for completion in early 2012.

It was jointly funded by the Council and sportscotland and is part of the Council's ongoing commitment to improving pitches and pavilions across Edinburgh.

Sports Leader, Councillor Deidre Brock, said: "This Administration is fully committed to helping residents of all ages get involved in sport and stay active, and our investment in pitches and pavilions is testament to that. Today is a key milestone in our ongoing programme of investment and I know the local community and sports clubs share our excitement about the development. New fit-for-purpose pitches and sports facilities will be integral to helping us fulfil our ambition of making Edinburgh the most physically active city in Europe by 2020."

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Chair of Firrhill Community Council, Heather Levy, added: "This has been a very long time coming but thank God it's here now! The local community - especially the football team - are very excited about this new pavilion. It's almost like the completion of all the upgrading work that's been going on at Colinton Mains Park, and it's part of the wider regeneration of the whole area."

Sportscotland Chief Executive, Stewart Harris said: "The provision of a new pavilion at Colinton Mains Park will have an enormous impact on sport in the local community, complementing the work already carried out in providing new pitches This exciting project will undoubtedly boost participation in the area, and I am delighted we have been able to provide design guidance and assistance, along with an award of £330,000 from our Sports Facilities Fund.

"By adding the pavilion, the pitches can be used to their full potential, enabling local teams to grow and Active Schools to develop new programmes and initiatives right at the heart of the community."

Edinburgh Leisure Sports Manager Perrotine Orr also commented: "This is a fantastic commitment by sportscotland and the City of Edinburgh Council to support the delivery of sport in the city. This project will be another asset to the development of the 'Colinton Community Sport Hub' as it gathers momentum over the coming months. Two of the key outcomes of the Hub, namely 'quality facilities' and 'improved access for local people' will be supported by this pavilion."

The Council recently announced plans to invest £940k in pitches and pavilions over the next three years with 3G pitches at Meadowbank Sports Centre and Jack Kane Sports Centre at the top of the list.

Brand new 3G pitches at Lochend Park and Meggetland were completed in 2010 and are both well-used.

(JG/BMcC)