East Ayrshire Leisure have confirmed the cost to repair the grass field at the Ayrshire Athletics Arena, whilst refuting online rumours that it could cost as much as £600,000 to repair.
Damage to the arena’s field had been caused by the Big Top circus tent and the subsequent clean up operation after it was destroyed by Storm Éowyn.
Estimates for the work to reinstate the grass field sit at £650 – almost 1,000 times less than rumours which had surfaced and been shared online.
One post misleadingly claimed the damage to the pitch was £600,000 and East Ayrshire Leisure have moved to stop the incorrect figure from circulating.
A spokesperson for East Ayrshire Leisure said: “We can confirm that the cost of repairing the grass at Ayrshire Athletics Arena will be in the region of £650 and the repair work will be carried out by our in-house estates team.”
East Ayrshire Council ’s cabinet was told last week that they could be eligible for the Bellwin Scheme which provides funds to local authorities in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.
However, the council would need to spend at least £660,000 in the course of their response to Storm Éowyn to be eligible.
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