A raft of new measures are to be introduced to upgrade the playing surfaces and plans are also being considered to improve access to changing facilities.

The initiative comes following a series of meetings of a group comprising local team representatives, councillors and officials.

Councillor Ian Tait, who has been co-ordinating the group's efforts, told the Herald: "We are all very pleased at the progress we have made."

He explained that the James Ramsay Park pitches will be regularly verti-drained by the landscape services department with sports turf sand added for better surface drainage in order to improve the surfaces.
In addition, the two pitches on the Links will be restructured for a trial period to have one improved pitch in a position where it should suffer less wear.

Cllr Tait said: "I have been delighted with the way the footballers have come together to present their requests and am also delighted that the council officers and myself were able to try and help with that. We are working very very well together and I do anticipate a very good outcomes from this.



"Certainly in respect of training and changing areas, we can address these issues immediately. Turning to the question of the pitches on the South Links and the pavilion, these are important things that we need to work on. Chairing these meetings, I am very very pleased at the way things are going."

Ian Tillet of Aberdeenshire Council's landscape services, outlined the first stage of works to be carried out, saying: "We are working with the various football teams to improve the playing surfaces. My colleagues are working with us. Our main aim is to improve the playing surfaces at both James Ramsay Park and the Links.

"The James Ramsay Park pitches are poorly drained and we have programming work for the next year. On a trial basis we will be making the two pitches on the Links into one pitch," he said.

The aim is to have one good pitch, he explained, adding that the problems with the James Ramsay Park pitches were due to drainage issues and that measures were being put in place to try and improve them during the Summer.

Further works on the pitches and an assessment of changing rooms facilities will also take place in an attempt to reduce the problems.
Charles West, coach of juvenile side Fraserburgh Boys Club U15s, explained the ongoing difficulties the teams have been facing, saying: "The main thing we want is to have a playable pitch and to have changing room facilities.

"This age group is the gap between under 15 football and welfare football. There is nowhere else that this age group can play unless they are at the Bellslea.

"It is disappointing if we cannot provide a team coming from outwith the area, say Aberdeen, with facilities where they can change. These days, you have to provide changing facilities. This season so far, we have twice had to play of pitches with no changing facilities.

"Both the pitches and the changing rooms are over subscribed and the problem is worse on a Saturday. We are also concerned over the condition of the pitches on the Links and the lack of changing rooms are a major issue," he said.

Mr West would also like to see an increase in all-weather capacity in the town, admitting: "I think it would be a good idea in the long term to extend the Kessock Park all-weather facility. I think in the long-term this could be a good investment, as that would also teams to train and play," he said.

The coach believes that without improvements the future of his juvenile side would have been in doubt.

"As far as this season is concerned, I have not been able to book either the James Ramsay Park or Kessock Park pitches on a Saturday," he said.
"This teams of 20 lads, comprises Fraserburgh boys and three from nearby villages. Our fixtures in the juvenile league are supposed to be played at 2pm on a Saturday.

"I think it is fair to say that the current situation is putting the team's future in jeopardy," he added.