25 February 2010
Immediate release
 
LABOUR SUCCESS AS 3G PITCHES IN REGION MOVE FORWARD
 
Local Labour MP and MSP Russell Brown and Elaine Murray met SportScotland representatives Mark Cowan, Head of Facilities, and Dougie Millen, Partnership Manager for Dumfries and Galloway, in Dumfries recently.

They discussed the provision of third generation (3G) football pitches in Dumfries and Galloway.

Russell Brown and Elaine Murray have been pressing SportScotland to agree to fund the development of 3G pitches in Dumfries and Galloway. The Council recently made an application for funding for a 3G pitch at the Crichton campus in Dumfries. SportScotland confirmed that they are hopeful this application will be successful and the funding will be in place for the pitch to open later this year. A further project is being considered for Stranraer.

Labour councillors successfully pushed for a report on a 3G pitch in Annandale and Eskdale to come back to the Council next month and are seeking it to be developed this year.
Dumfries MSP Elaine Murray said: "I was greatly encouraged by our meeting with SportScotland and their commitment to providing the funds to improve 3G pitch provision in Dumfries and Galloway.

"Everyone recognises our region has missed out on these pitches so far and I’m determined to work to get them in place as soon as possible.
"Russell and I have been calling for urgent 3G pitch development I am pleased the proposal at the Crichton looks like it will be successful in securing SportScotland funding.
"One pitch is not enough and we need to ensure the Council and SportScotland act quickly to get these facilities elsewhere in our region. Last week my Labour colleagues in the Council pushed for a facility in Annandale and Eskdale to be considered this year and this project certainly has my full support."

Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown said: "Dumfries and Galloway’s footballers are desperately looking for more artificial pitches.

"Our wet and unpredictable weather means we can go weeks over the winter without any access to a surface on which to play football. It makes sense for us to provide all-weather facilities that can be used come rain or shine.

"The benefits of these facilities are clear and it’s great to get our youngsters outside and keeping fit. We can only tackle our obesity epidemic if we give people the opportunity to exercise.

"These pitches also play an important community role and keep our young people off the street by giving them something enjoyable and productive to look forward to.

"I made my support of these facilities clear to SportScotland and was pleased they shared my desire to get more of these pitches into our region."
 
ENDS
 
CONTACT - ANDREW MACKENZIE 07769206856
 
NOTES TO EDITORS
 
Please find photo attached of local Labour politicians next to the only artificial full size football pitch currently in Dumfries and Galloway at King George V.
 
(L-R): Cllr John Martin, Elaine Murray MSP, Cllr Jeff Leaver, Russell Brown MP, Cllr Colin Smyth.