Spiralling costs hit Lanarkshire sports pitch project

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Grass sports pitches in four areas of North Lanarkshire are to be converted to upgraded synthetic surfaces – but rising costs means proposed additional improvements to a number of existing pitches will not go ahead.

Fields at Glenmanor Avenue in Moodiesburn, one beside Cleland Primary, at Hawthorn Drive in Harthill and either Warnock Crescent or Calder Road in Mossend are to be converted into synthetic surfaces as agreed in the council’s budget in February.

However, an extra £1 million is having to be allocated to the scheme with the cost of the four projects reaching £3.2 million; meaning in turn that artificial pitch surfaces at Caldervale, Calderhead and Coltness high schools will now not be upgraded as part of the initiative.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android The adjustment to the planned pitch programme following feasibility studies was unanimously agreed at this week’s policy and strategy meeting, after councillors were presented with four options – ranging from upgrading seven existing synthetic pitches within the initial budget, to completing the originally-planned work at a nearly-doubled cost of £4.2m.