Further development of South Ayrshire Council's provision of school physical education and sports facilities is set to get under way following the formal acceptance of awards of more than £1 million through the New Opportunities Fund for PE and Sport (NOPES).

Following on successful submissions made to NOPES, initially in May 2002 and subsequently revised in August last year, more than £600,000 had been made available towards the establishing of a full size synthetic pitch at Carrick Academy; the creation of a multi-use games area at Newton Primary School and an extension at the Dolphin House.

A Convener and Vice Convener's Sub Committee of the Council's Policy and Resources Committee has now approved the formal acceptance of the full allocation of £1,058,000 available from NOPES.

In doing so, the Committee has enabled a contribution to be made to the development of a full-size synthetic pitch facility at Prestwick Academy under the PPP programme.

Explained Councillor Andy Hill, Leader of South Ayrshire Council: "In order to accommodate increased costs for the facilities at Carrick Academy, Newton Primary and the Dolphin House, and to ensure that the range of developments can be brought to completion within the overall capital funding allocation, we have had to make changes to the award allocation.

The revised costs for the projects are now: Carrick Academy £482,209; Newton Primary School £102,852; Dolphin House £186,370 and a contribution of £286,569 towards the PPP programme to develop a full size synthetic pitch at Prestwick Academy.

The Committee has been told that the final award of funding available for Prestwick Academy will be "ring-fenced" to contribute to the PPP programme.

Explained Councillor Andy Hill: "By linking the NOPES award with the PPP programme, Prestwick Academy can benefit by having the size of the pitch increased from an initially projected 60 x 40 m size to a 'full size' 100 x 66 m. I do think it is important that a full size pitch is included in the plans for the school."

Councillor Hill added: "I really am delighted that the projects have met with appropriate funding from NOPES, allowing the Council to further enhance the sports facilities that our schools already have."

The Committee also agreed to the development of a Council wide strategy for the sustainable operation of current and future sports facilities. This will include the development of a pricing structure for sports facilities throughout South Ayrshire. The pricing structure will be reflected in the Business Plans for these facilities.

The synthetic pitch surfaces have an expected lifespan of 10 years. The Council has given approval for the cost of replacing the surfaces to be included in future Capital Programmes at the end of this period. Consideration will be given to the inclusion of the replacement of synthetic pitch surfaces in year 10 for inclusion in the Council's Capital Programme.

September 2005