Subscribe to our Construction Newsfeed
Scotland Construction Directory
Search our 14,780 companies....

Construction News

17/12/2013

£1.43m Fund For New 3G Pitches

The Scottish Government has announced a £1.43m boost from its Cashback for Communities scheme to build new, full-sized 3G pitches.

The fund, which is made of money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act, will go towards synthetic turf rugby and football pitches at five venues across Scotland.

Priority has been given to bids for those pitches with projects working with young people in areas that experience antisocial behaviour and crime.

This is the first wave of funding allocations from a pot of £3.15m, and it is expected that the next round will be announced in the new year.

The cash comprises £2m from the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities programme, coupled with £1m from sportscotland and £150,000 from WREN. The CashBack funding itself came from a £5.6m payment from Aberdeen-based oil and gas company Abbot Group after the firm used the Crown Office's self-reporting initiative to admit benefitting from corrupt payments made in an overseas deal.
-- Advertisement --
NorthernAsbestosServicesLtd



Applications for funding were invited from partnerships between local authorities and local football and rugby clubs. The successful applicants and locations are:

  • Aberdeen City Council at Central Park, Dyce Academy Playing Field, Dyce, Aberdeen (£300,000)
  • Stonehaven Community Group at Mineralwell Park, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire (£280,000)
  • City of Edinburgh Council at Malleny Park, Balerno, Edinburgh (£300,000 including £50,000 WREN funding)
  • Strathaven Rugby Football Club at Whiteshawgate Park, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire (£300,000)
  • Dalziel High School Memorial Trust at Dalziel Park, Motherwell, North Lanarkshire (£250,000 including £50,000 WREN funding).


Commenting on the funding, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "Today's announcement is a perfect example of how criminal money can be seized and used for good to make communities richer places to live.

"These pitches will allow young people to access facilities that keep them out of trouble and encourage them to lead healthy and happy lives. The fact these pitches can be used for both football and rugby all year round means we are encouraging the next generation of sportsmen and women to develop their full potential.

"This government has now redistributed more than £50 million in criminal money to good causes through this unique Scottish programme, with dozens of CashBack-funded sports facilities now in place across Scotland to provide a tangible legacy that communities can use and enjoy for years to come."

(JP/IT)

Latest Construction News

11/07/2025
Scottish Canals has announced that it is now halfway through its significant engineering programme on the Falkirk Flight of the Forth & Clyde Canal, an ambitious project spanning from locks 3 to 16. This undertaking represents the biggest single investment in Scotland's canals since the Millennium
11/07/2025
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced the elite line-up of finalists for SkillBuild 2025, bringing the nation's most promising construction trainees and apprentices one step closer to being crowned the best in their trade. Recognised as the largest and longest-running industr
11/07/2025
The Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project has confirmed a temporary adjustment to working hours at its converter station site near Boddam, Peterhead. This strategic decision is designed to facilitate crucial construction activities and ensure the timely delivery of this nationally significant energy
11/07/2025
Aberdeen-based manufacturer Nexos has announced a significant boost to its operations, with its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) team securing £8 million in new contracts since January this year. This latest achievement follows a period of substantial growth for the firm, which re
11/07/2025
Glasgow-based construction firm CCG (Scotland) Ltd is celebrating a significant achievement as three of its landmark residential developments have been shortlisted as finalists for the prestigious RICS UK Awards 2025. This year marks the first time the awards have operated on a fully national form
11/07/2025
The Scottish Government has today launched a significant new initiative, the £2 million Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Market Readiness Fund for 2025-26, signalling a clear commitment to accelerating the decarbonisation of Scotland's road freight sector. The fund is specifically designed to encourage col
10/07/2025
RJ McLeod has officially begun construction works at the site of £155million Mill Rig Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire, a major milestone for onshore wind set to power approximately 45,000 homes annually. Developed by UK renewables specialist OnPath Energy, the 33.4 MW onshore wind project is expecte
10/07/2025
Work has now officially commenced on the highly anticipated £6.7 million community facility in Milton, Glasgow, which will become the new, modern home for Scaraway Nursery and the vital local charity, North United Communities (NUC). This state-of-the-art development is slated for completion by sum
10/07/2025
Construction of Bishopbriggs' new £31.5 million Balmuildy Primary School has taken a significant step forward as essential enabling works commence this summer, strategically timed during the school holidays to minimise disruption. These preparatory activities will pave the way for the main build t
10/07/2025
Cumbernauld's urban landscape is poised for a significant transformation following the green light and nearly £3 million in funding for a new five-year wildlife restoration project. Titled 'Nurturing Natural Connections', the initiative promises extensive tree planting and wildflower sowing, aimin
Glazing and Repairs Window and Door SpecialistsCreagh Concrete Products LtdHSEF (Health, Safety, Environmental & Fire Consultants)Safe Access (Highland) Ltd.Caledonia Crane Hire LtdNext Door LocksmithChapman Electrical LtdMaccaferri LtdAlternative Tying Systems LtdACCON UK Ltd