New pictures have highlighted how quickly work to build a modern athletics centre has transformed land in the heart of Fraserburgh.
Fraserburgh South Links Sports Development Trust’s project to create a six-lane running track, a cycling facility and a grass pitch for fields sports in the town has been backed by local councillors.
The scheme has taken over an area of grassland near Fraserburgh Beach and 30,000sqft of soil has already been moved.
Work began last month and the site has already been transformed from a grassy field into an earth crater.
Last night Graeme Clark, convener of the trust, said: “It is early days, but our contractor Allsports have made a good start on the initial earthworks to establish the base levels for the main construction phase.
“Local contractors David Smith have been subcontracted and are heavily involved in this work. At a progress meeting on Wednesday, it was confirmed that the works are scheduled for substantial completion in early September.”
Mr Clark has described the scheme as a project for the whole community and has thanked local people for helping the trust reach its funding goal.
The venture has cost around £1.2million with cash also coming from organisations including Sportscotland and the Scottish Government.
The former body’s chief executive Stewart Harris has welcomed the plans and 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.”
Mr Harris insisted that ethos was “driving” the South Links project and confirmed his organisation had invested £200,000 in the plan.
The sports trust has secured a 26-year lease on the ground where the facility is being built.
