Work to bring a modern athletics centre to a north-east town has started this week.
Fraserburgh South Links Sports Development Trust’s project to bring the facilities to the community has already been backed by local councillors and will allow a six-lane running track to be created at grassland near Fraserburgh Beach.
It will also include a cycling track and a natural grass pitch for field sports.
Graeme Clark, convener of the trust, said: “It has been quite a long time in the planning but it is really good to see that construction is about to get under way.
“The trust has put a lot of work into getting to this stage with getting people behind the idea and getting the funding for the project.”
“We are so thankful to so many for helping us with reaching our funding goal.
“This will be a facility for all in the community and I am sure that a lot of people will enjoy it once it is open.”
The project has cost the group £1.2million, with cash towards the scheme provided by organisations including sportscotland and the Scottish Government.
Sportscotland chief executive Stewart Harris as welcomed the development.
He said: “Sportscotland is committed to building a world-class sporting system at all levels in Scotland and providing access to quality facilities such as the new Fraserburgh South Links Sports Development will play an important part in delivering on that aim.
“By bringing together schools, clubs and the local community we can deliver more and better sporting opportunities, encouraging participation, and providing the pathways to enable people to progress in their chosen sport.
“That ethos is clearly the driver here and that’s why we were delighted to invest £200,000 in this terrific project.”
The trust has managed to secure a 26-year lease on the ground where the facility will be built.
