Floodlights switched on at new community facility in Kingussie
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
They’re getting lit up in Kingussie!
The new floodlights have been turned on for the first time at the transformed Market Stance playing field.
“The lighting-up was a great success,” confirmed Kingussie Camanachd’s John Robertson.
The upgrade of the field has long been a labour of love the shinty players who tell the Strathy they are delighted with the way it’s all worked out.
“The players last Thursday night found the set-up ideal for training,” said Mr Robertson.
There are four columns for floodlighting – one near each corner of the playing field – and there are four lamps on each column. The effect will be to create an average brightness of 200 Lux at ground level.
The project, though led by the club, received invaluable funding and backing from a range of supporters including Kingussie Community Development Company hydro fund, Cairngorms National Park Authority community-led vision fund, Cairngorms Trust, Highland Council, Sport Scotland Facilities Fund and the Community Regeneration Fund.
"The playing field is a community facility. Although it is managed by Kingussie Camanachd Club, and it is available to the whole community, said Mr Robertson.
“Anyone is welcome to use the playing field on a casual basis at any time.”
Kingussie Camanachd Club leased the Market Stance playing field on behalf of the whole community, in 2021 on a 25 year lease.
The field will continue to be available to the entire community free of charge other than a small hire fee when the floodlights are being used.
It is a community facility which is being managed and maintained for the community by Kingussie Camanachd Club.
The field was gifted to the Kingussie Community by Dochfour Estate in 1947
The upgrade of the playing field has taken place in three phases.
The ground works were all completed in 2021. The sports fencing was started in 2022 at both ends of the pitch, and the plan is to complete it at the sides of the pitch in 2025.
Kingussie Camanachd Club has been cutting the grass and maintaining the playing surface since 2020.
It is well used for both casual use and by local clubs, for example the Badenoch Ladies Shinty Club Second Team now play their home matches there.
