The charity behind the Gleaner Arena in Elgin has announced the completion of a brand new pavilion.
Elgin Sports Community Trust was granted permission for the new building at Lesser Borough Briggs in 2023.
From left; Dave Allen, Courtney Ritchie and Robbie Hope at the new Gleaner pavilion which is set to open officially on Saturday, January 11. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
The charity was formed in 2017 amid concerns that local public pitches were being littered with needles, broken glass and dog mess.
It has since transformed Lesser Borough Briggs from a barren piece of land into a sports facility with one full-size Astroturf football pitch and two five-a-side pitches.
The addition of the newly-completed pavilion is another landmark achievement for the charity.
Dave Allen, chairman of Elgin Sports Community Trust, said: “This demonstrates what community action can achieve from some local mums and dads.
“I guess I had the vision back in 2015/2016 when we started putting our application for charitable status in.
Inside the new Gleaner pavilion. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
“Then we delivered the first phase which was the football pitches and then getting into a position to be able to deliver phase two which is the pavilion.
“There are so many people to thank that have helped us get to this stage as well.”
The pavilion will act as an office for the Gleaner Arena to manage the ever-increasing activities at the facility.
It also contains a kitchen, access toilet and a function area and could be used as a community hub.
Mr Allen said: “It’s going to take us to the next level in terms of offering more than just football pitches.
Inside the new Gleaner pavilion. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
“That’s a tagline that we like to use. We’ll have spaces there now where people who aren’t exercising can sit and have a cup of tea.
“They can sit in where it is warm and have a chat. Everyone is very welcome to come along for that.”
With the second phase of the charity’s project now complete, plans are already in place to deliver additional phases including supporting girls’ and ladies’ football teams.
Mr Allen added: “We have got some plans and early discussions on putting even more down there, one of which something potentially might be an indoor facility as well, which would be really useful at this time of year.
“One of the activities that we’re anticipating the pavilion being used for is for girls’ and ladies’ teams as well.
“They’ll be able to go in for a post-match analysis and they’ll be able to use the pavilion to do their pre and post-match analysis in that area as well because it’s an ever-increasing and expanding and popular sport amongst girls and ladies now.
“We’re going to go from strength to strength and delivering even more now.”
The pavilion will officially open on Saturday, January 11.