Midlothian Council leader praises partnership working for Poltonhall improvements

The leader of Midlothian Council has praised the “fantastic” partnership working that is bringing major improvements to Poltonhall Recreation Ground.
Pictured in the Poltonhall Recreation Ground car park with the site in the background are, from left to right: Quantity surveyor with the council Nicole Liddle, Council Leader Councillor Derek Milligan, Bonnyrigg Rose Community Football Club manager Jim Wilson, Jennifer Malone of the Scottish FA and sportscotland’s Senior Project Manager Grant Duncan.Pictured in the Poltonhall Recreation Ground car park with the site in the background are, from left to right: Quantity surveyor with the council Nicole Liddle, Council Leader Councillor Derek Milligan, Bonnyrigg Rose Community Football Club manager Jim Wilson, Jennifer Malone of the Scottish FA and sportscotland’s Senior Project Manager Grant Duncan.
Pictured in the Poltonhall Recreation Ground car park with the site in the background are, from left to right: Quantity surveyor with the council Nicole Liddle, Council Leader Councillor Derek Milligan, Bonnyrigg Rose Community Football Club manager Jim Wilson, Jennifer Malone of the Scottish FA and sportscotland’s Senior Project Manager Grant Duncan.

Councillor Milligan (Lab) said the project to deliver two seven-a-side pitches and a full-size pitch with improved surfacing and LED floodlighting, “would never have got off the ground” without significant funding from developer contributions and support from external agencies, such as sportscotland, the Scottish Football Partnership and Bonnyrigg Rose Community Football Club.

Cllr Milligan said: “As a council we recognise the vital health and wellbeing benefits projects like this bring, but we don’t have the money to deliver them ourselves and, without external funding and collaboration, this upgrading work would never have got off the ground. A huge thank you to all of the funding and support agencies, including the local community football club, the Scottish FA and local developers. The partnership working has been fantastic.”

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The £650k project sees sportscotland investing £100,000 of National Lottery money. Bonnyrigg Rose raised £50,000 and secured further funding of £20,000 for LED floodlighting from the Scottish Football Partnership.

The remainder is from the council from developer contributions.

Bonnyrigg Rose Community Club general manager Jim Wilson said: “In real terms the club has made a near £70,000 investment in the pavilion since taking it over August 2016 creating 10 employees in the process.

“In the last year alone the club has gained funding to allow us to invest over £30,000 in our mental health programme including social inclusion groups for the elderly and 121 counselling sessions for over 40 individuals who couldn't access the support they needed at that time elsewhere.

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“Without all stakeholders and each and every person buying into our project and beliefs it wouldn’t have been possible.”

Poltonhall is home to over 600 Bonnyrigg Rose youth players between the ages of five to 20-year-olds as well as the over 50s walking football groups. Members of the public can book both the pitches and pavilion when open.

Stewart Harris, chief executive, sportscotland, said: “Bonnyrigg Rose has established a real community club for boys and girls from 5 to 20 years-of-age, offering so much more than football. The club not only provides opportunities for everyone to take part in sport and physical activity, but also plays a key role in the life of the community through social inclusion and mental health initiatives.

"That’s why we have invested £100,000 of National Lottery funding in this project to expand the pitches and allow even more people in the local area to benefit.”

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South East Regional Manager with the Scottish FA, Jennifer Malone said: “I’m excited to see the development of Poltonhall Recreation Ground getting under way as the completed project will have such a positive impact on the local community.

"Bonnyrigg Rose Community Football Club are at the heart of the community and provide opportunities both on and off the pitch.

"The completion of this site will allow them to continue the great projects they already deliver and develop further opportunities to support the physical and mental wellbeing of their local community.”

Stuart McCaffrey, the Chief Operating Officer of The Scottish Football Partnership, said: "The Scottish Football Partnership Trust was keen to be part of a multi-agency approach to delivering first class and inclusive facilities for Bonnyrigg Rose Community Football Club.

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"Our investment in new LED floodlights at Poltonhall will help to reduce energy consumption and costs at the same time as adding to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable future for the club."

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