A Hamilton community football club has netted a home win after being granted a 20-year lease of their pitches and pavilion – which they plan to transform into a state-of-the-art sporting facility for the community.
Eddlewood football association is taking possession of the teams’ current home at Queens Drive after a community asset transfer application to South Lanarkshire Council was approved with unanimous support from elected members.
Now they plan to upgrade the existing facilities and create a community space and health hub, new pitches for small-sided games and install new floodlighting and fencing.
Club chair Gerry McGhie told the Hamilton Advertiser that the club’s players, coaches and volunteers are “thrilled” to have successfully completed the asset transfer process, calling it a “significant milestone”.
He said: “The ultimate vision is to develop a 3G all-weather pitch, a multi-use games area and additional community meeting spaces to meet the needs identified through extensive community engagement.
“Our phased development approach will see upgrades to the existing pitches and pavilion, the creation of new community spaces and improved accessibility, providing a hub for health and well-being initiatives; and installation of drainage, floodlighting, fencing and new seven- and nine-a-side pitches.”
Gerry told how nearly 500 local residents have supported Eddlewood’s application and ambitious plans, and said: “This marks the beginning of a community-led transformation project for Eddlewood sports and community campus, aimed at enhancing local sporting and recreational facilities for the benefit of residents of all ages.
“We believe these improvements will have a lasting impact on the community by promoting active lifestyles, reducing isolation, and providing a space for youth development and social activities – and the support voiced by residents highlights the demand for improved facilities and the value they see in this community asset transfer.
“Eddlewood football association is committed to making this development a beacon of community spirit and empowerment – we’re excited for the future and look forward to engaging further with the community to turn this vision into reality to ensure it brings long-lasting benefits.”
The sports organisation is a Scottish charitable incorporated organisation with a 10-person management committtee and more than 200 members across its various youth and community teams.
Councillors on South Lanarkshire’s housing and technical resources committee unanimously approved the community asset transfer, agreeing a 20-year lease at a peppercorn rent – with conditions including that the pavilion will be refurbished and drainage improvements to the grass pitches completed within 12 months, and construction of a community hub within five years after which a “right to buy” request will be considered.
Pitch drainage works are due to get underway this month after the Hamilton club separately received a grant of up to £40,000 from the council’s renewable energy fund, for improvements which officials say “will ensure year-round access for training and competitive matches”.
Their asset transfer was cheered on by Hamilton South councillor Helen Toner, who told the committee meeting: “I’m absolutely delighted that Eddlewood have the opportunity to take over the pavilion.
“It could be a very under-used facility had they not taken over in a short-term lease – they’ve got absolutely amazing plans for it and are a very worthy club. They work well with the community and I’m just delighted this is moving forward.”
Eddlewood will now take over management and development of the site from South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, with a report for councillors noting it will “relieve the council of grounds maintenance charges” of £20,000 per year and adding: “The grant of a long lease will allow the organisation to develop proposals for short and longer-term investment in the facility.”
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.