Gordon MacDonald MSP has written for us about the difficulties facing the new sports pitches recently unveiled in Balerno. A lot of hard work went into providing these pitches for the area, and it seems that their open door policy is now in danger.
I attended the opening of the new 3G pitches at Malleny Park a couple of weeks ago with the Minister for Sport Jamie Hepburn MSP and Councillor Bill Henderson.
These new 3G pitches at Malleny Park, Balerno which are now being used for both football and rugby were funded in part by the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Pitches programme that provided £200,000 towards the cost.
The intention was that they would be available for use during school hours for Balerno High School and local primary schools. Currie RFC and Currie Star FC would have the use of the facility at night and weekends with some community access at weekends and during the holidays.
However since their opening there have been a number of incidents that threatens that “open door policy”. There have been a number of verbal confrontations between coaches and groups of youths who refuse to leave when they are asked so that training can take place. Parents have also faced verbal abuse from some of the youngsters and there are now allegations of an assault on Friday 12 June resulting in police and paramedics having to attend.
Each morning the 3G pitches are covered in litter and there have been concerns about burn marks from dropped cigarettes. Both Currie RFC and Currie Star FC are having to spend more time making the pitches playable than coaching the youngsters.
The result is that in order to protect this investment for the community, it is actively being considered that the gates should be locked at all times and only those booked to play will gain access. The fence will also be altered, at considerable expense, to prevent access by climbing over. It is unfortunate that the actions of a minority are spoiling the opportunity that the wider community should be enjoying.
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I have written to Gordon MacDonald on this subject expressing my view. Gordon kindly responded and shared the pictures in your article with me; however I hardly think they make a damning case. Subsequently I have also had a constructive discussion with Bill Henderson.
As I stated in my email to Gordon supplementing the existing fencing and locking the gates is not the answer.
There are simple solutions to these initial issues the most obvious being a warden stationed at the facility to ensure rules and regulations are adhered to. Large barrel type bins would also help alleviate the littering issue. These are both in place at Saughton and Meggetland.
It beggars belief the decision was made to invest heavily in this facility yet not deploy somebody to ensure its smooth running. I have witnessed on many occasions large numbers of children using the facility with no issue.
I suggest Gordon or anybody who is actively campaigning for the closure of this facility wander past at the weekend or early evening to see what is actually happening. It might also be worth noting the figures for childhood obesity and diabetes in Scotland.
If the decision is taken to remove the open door policy by locking the gates and adding further “defences” then this is not an investment for the community.
Gordon states “It is unfortunate that the actions of a minority are spoiling the opportunity that the wider community should be enjoying” – is this really the stance that is being advocated ? Surely tackling the actions of the minority and ensuring the open door policy remains is the best course of action. Then the facility really can become a worthwhile “investment for the community”.
Shame the REAL story is not being reported;
“Local Kids in their Hundreds Abandon TV, XBOX and social media to Play With Friends On New Pitches. Parents Delighted”
Yes teething troubles and a code of conduct have yet to be ironed out. But – please focus on the positive and do not amplify the negative. Ideally a free use policy (non-monetary) of unbooked time will settle in successfully to encourage maximum use. Everyone – users, parents, schools, clubs, council – have to pull together to make sure the facility and all users are respected. Lets make that plan. Hopefully the local kids, teens, parents and clubs will have open and trouble free access for many years to come.
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