The Club would like to share an update from the recently-formed tripartite working group which is investigating how to take forward the vision of transforming The Reigart Stadium into a community hub for the people of Coatbridge. The main focus of the Project Board is to attain our facility aspirations for grassroots and community football.
The Albion Rovers Facility Development Project Board includes two representatives from the Club’s Board, two representatives from the Albion Rovers Community Trust and two representatives from the Albion Rovers Supporters Trust. We are also engaging with a consultant who has extensive experience in securing partner funding for community sporting projects.
Frank Croall (ST) was elected as chair of the Board with Isabelle Boyd (CT) being elected as vice-chair of the Board.
Frank Croall (ST) Chair
Isabelle Boyd (CT) Vice-chair
Forbes Prentice (ST)
Tom Castles (CT)
Robert Cameron (ARFC)
Ben Kearney (ARFC)
The Project Board is continuing to explore various funding streams in line with our long-term vision of transforming The Reigart Stadium’s facilities so we can transition to operating as a vibrant and accessible community sports hub.
The project Board agreed that our initial focus should be to attain funding which would allow for the installation of an artificial pitch to replace the current grass surface. This would empower the Board and ARFC to be able to deliver wider participation and community engagement through the likes of our fantastic Community Trust.
It has been a whirlwind start. It is clear that we are at the beginning of an exciting journey that will no doubt have highs and lows along the way. There is no limit to what we can achieve and the feedback the Project Board has received so far from outwith the Club has been wholly positive.
We have engaged with the Scottish FA regarding The Scottish Football Facilities Fund – which has two strands.
The Member Support stream, which helps a Club retain or improve their Club Licensing Status, is where the Board believes our journey would be best placed to start and we have initially engaged with the Scottish FA regarding this. Currently, Albion Rovers holds an Entry Licence. The Club aspires to reach Bronze License level.
The Community Football Spaces stream – created from investment received from the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) – is a clear target capital investment fund for the Board in the future and we are exploring how to reach a position where we would be able to submit a robust, evidence-based application.
The Board believe a phased approach, working closely with the Scottish FA and The Scottish Football Partnership Trust, is how we should proceed.
Last week, the Board and Club met with both parties. MSP Fulton MacGregor and a representative from MP Frank McNally’s office also attended. The consensus was clear: a project with the aim of replacing the Club’s grass pitch to allow The Reigart Stadium to operate as a community sports hub is the way forward for Albion Rovers. We’d like to thank those who attended.
Over the coming months, the Board will continue to engage with the Scottish FA and The Scottish Football Partnership Trust. Further engagement will allow us to develop our course of action going forward.
Our phased approach is likely to be firstly new floodlights and accessible changing facilities for community football then an ambitious bid for a full artificial pitch next year.
We will work tirelessly to be in a position to apply for both strands of the Scottish Football Facilities Fund when they next open.
