Hopes of funding package as Wick sports pitch is ‘deteriorating fast’
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There are tentative hopes that funding can be found to improve the all-weather sports pitch behind Wick High School, although it does not feature in the local authority’s plans for this financial year.
The facility is well used by local sports clubs as well as by the school itself but the playing surface is said to be “deteriorating fast”.
The floodlit synthetic pitch was installed at a cost of £584,000 in 2006, some 11 years before the new school campus was opened.
Members of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC) were given an update by their vice-chairman, Allan Bruce, following a meeting with a Highland Council official.
Mr Bruce pointed out that efforts to seek funding are being led by youth football club Caithness United and RBWCC.
“Where we’re currently at with this is that there are no plans at the moment to get it refurbished in this financial year,” he said.
“The facility is over 17 years old and it was built prior to the campus, so in some ways we have not benefited from having a nice, new all-weather pitch when the campus was built.
“The playing surface is deteriorating fast and one of the main reasons for that is because it’s a very well-used facility.
“Highland Council has now met with an SFA [Scottish Football Association] area representative and they’re having a discussion about the possibility of funding being made available through the SFA.
“I’m delighted that they have met each other with the possibility of that happening. We’ll not know until later on this year whether there is going to be funding available from the SFA.
“We can’t overstate how well that facility is used. It’s used by the high school through the day, it’s used by sports clubs and that includes football, rugby, etc.
“But the facility benefits the whole of Caithness, not just Wick, and that’s why we’re so passionate about it.”
Mr Bruce said an assurance had been given that Highland Council would take “short-term measures” if urgent repairs were required.
He went on: “We look forward to working constructively with Highland Council and the SFA to try and get a route forward. But at least we know where we are.
“I certainly hope that by us all working together we can get a positive outcome for that facility.”
Responding to a question on funding from community councillor David Dunnett, Mr Bruce said: “What we’re led to believe is that there is funding available out there. There are no promises, but we’ve got a foot in and we’re making a bit of progress.
“I must thank Alan Turner [chairman of Caithness United]. There have been a lot of phone calls late at night about this.
“We’re a bit disappointed that it’s not on this year’s financial plan – I get that, I understand that.”
The pitch had its official opening in November 2006. It was developed as a multi-sports playing surface for use by Wick High and the community by arrangement through the school.
Pupils moved to the new £48.5 million community campus when the former school in West Banks Avenue closed in 2017.
