Construction of the new ‘Third Generation’ (3G) synthetic pitch at Clickimin will begin this week, as the first turf was lifted today and contractors move onto the site.
The construction period is expected to be around four months and will see the grass rugby pitch at Clickimin removed and replaced with a green synthetic grass playing surface, including an engineered sub-base and a pre-formed shockpad. A perimeter fence will also be installed and six 15 metre-high LED floodlighting columns, designed to reduce light spill, and placed on the east and west sides of the pitch.
The new facility will offer improved drainage over the current grass pitch, allowing year-round use of the pitch for sport and recreation. Compared to natural grass, modern sports turf technology offers a consistent playing surface and ball bounce, and increased player safety due to improved shock absorption and the absence of worn areas.
The longer playing season and availability of the pitch in almost all weather conditions is expected to support the future growth of local football and rugby clubs for adults and juniors.
The overall pitch will measure 122 metres by 78 metres, with a five-metre safety runoff on all sides. The football pitch will be 95 metres long by 68 metres wide, to allow moveable football goals to be sited in front of the fixed rugby posts. The Rugby pitch will be 100 metres long by 68m metres wide. The rugby lines will be marked in white and football lines marked in yellow.
Organic infill material will be used on the new pitch, rather than rubber crumb used on many other 3G pitches elsewhere and which is being phased out across Europe by October 2031. The grain material, made from the cob of sweetcorn, is biodegradable and sustainable, and has been chosen for a number of reasons, including its resistance to weathering and drainage properties. It is produced by a company in France and the new pitch at Clickimin will be the first full sized pitch in Scotland to use this material.
To reduce the loss of the infill from the pitch a number of mitigating measures will be incorporated including the use of detox grids and boot brushes. These will be located at each of the access points to the pitch, ensuring that the infill is retained as far as practicably possible.
Councillors agreed in December 2024 to fund a contribution of £690k towards the project. The overall cost of the pitch is expected to be £1.46M funded from a combination of sources – Shetland Islands Council (£690k), Scottish Football Association (£500k), sportscotland (£200k), Scottish Rugby Union (£50k), Shetland Football (£10k) and Shetland Rugby (£10k).
The project is being led by the Sport and Leisure Service of Shetland Islands Council who will manage future bookings and maintenance on the new pitch. The main contractor for the construction work is Allsports Construction and Maintenance Ltd, based in Glasgow, plus local subcontractors.
Sports groups were recently notified that construction would begin soon, with short-term arrangements made for rugby bookings to move to the Gilbertson Park until their playing season ends in April 2025.
Davie Sandison, Chair of the Council’s Education & Families Committee said: “I’m pleased to see the construction work get underway on this pitch, which will be an asset for the community for many years to come. This outdoor synthetic pitch will help to overcome the challenges of our frequently inclement weather, and extend the playing season in the darker months. People of all ages will be able to enjoy competition and recreation, keeping folk physically more active, more often, contributing to better health in our community. I look forward to seeing the new pitch open later this summer.”
Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “The news that construction is about to start on the 3G pitch in Lerwick is most welcome. We know that sport and physical activity have an important role to play in bringing communities together and improving individuals’ wellbeing. Having this facility available for use during darker months and in poor weather is great news for the people of Lerwick and surrounding areas.
"Shetland Islands Council and everyone else involved in the project have demonstrated a real commitment to ensuring that more people will have an opportunity to become physically active and connected to their local community."