Work on Glasgow’s new artificial pitch at Scotstoun could begin as early as next week after the move has been rubber-stamped.
Glasgow City Council’s executive committee gave their approval to the £750,000 scheme to replace the troublesome grass surface with a 3G artificial surface, with an upgrade to the running track and other athletics facilities at the site.
Scottish Rugby and the Glasgow Warriors are making a “signifciant” contribution to the works after a disrupted season in which four home games were badly affected by flooding problems on the Scotstoun pitch.
Two games, including the high-profile European Cup meeting with eventual finalists Racing 92, were played at Kilmarnock FC’s Rugby Park, the home leg of the 1872 Cup was switched to BT Murrayfield and a fourth postponed game, against Zebre, was eventually played at Scotstoun in April once the pitch had recovered from the winter rains.
However considerable difficulties in maintaining a viable playing surface convinced Glasgow to switch to an artificial surface, which has been used with some success by Saracens and Newcastle in England, Cardiff Blues in Wales and by Oyonnax in France.
Chief executive Nathan Bombrys said that now approval had been secured, works could begin almost immediately.
“A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes over the last few months, culminating in today’s announcement and this is fantastic news for everyone who uses the stadium,” he said.
“From next season we’ll have an excellent surface all year round, to play the exciting brand of rugby we enjoy.
“It will also provide us with exciting opportunities, which will help us grow the club and the game in the west of Scotland.
“We have visited a number of clubs who have similar surfaces, which they either play or train on and we believe an artificial surface is the best solution for Scotstoun Stadium.
“We’d like to thank Scottish Rugby, Glasgow City Council and sportscotland for funding this project.”