A woman whose late husband campaigned tirelessly for new community facilities in Burntisland has spoken of her pride at seeing the project finally come to fruition.
Elaine Ritchie said she was delighted to be able to open the new sports pitch development at the Beacon Leisure Centre, after many months in the making, although she admitted it was tinged with sadness that her husband Gordon did not live to see them being used.
Mr Ritchie was a member of the Burntisland Sports Group, which has been a driver of the plans in the town, but passed away before the facilities were finished.
However, Mrs Ritchie hopes the fact that the pitches and multi-use games area will be used by generations to come will represent a lasting legacy.
“I was honoured to be asked to officially open these excellent facilities,” she said. “Well done to all involved, to make this happen. My family were all very proud of my late husband Gordon for his dedication and vision to help drive this initiative and to see it come to fruition, all complete for future generations to enjoy.”
The pitches were funded by sportscotland, Fife Environment Trust, Fife Council Common Good, locality funds and members of the community.
The state of the art synthetic turf pitch offers a 60m by 40m playing area and is marked out for seven-a-side football, while the new multi-use games area named in Mr Ritchie’s honour is free to use and is marked out for football, tennis and basketball.
Gillian Lowe, the chairperson of Burntisland Sports Group, said it was “wonderful” to see people using the new facilities.
“The pitches are fantastic and the area surrounding the Beacon Leisure Centre has been transformed,” she added.
Local councillor George Kay added that the facilities are already proving hugely popular.
“They will allow the people of Burntisland, Kinghorn and the surrounding area to develop their appetite for a healthier life style,” he added.
“What we are seeing is the dream which we had seven years ago become a reality. That reality came about through the hard work and team efforts of a few determined individuals ably led for seven years by Gillian Lowe.”