The decision to grant a lease for Glasgow’s ‘only regulation Shinty pitch’ has been praised as “ensuring traditional sports are supported into the future”.
Glasgow City Council approved a 25-year lease for the playing fields and changing pavilion in Peterson Park, Yoker, on Thursday, October 9.
The council granted Peterson Park Playing Fields Trust to take over the grounds, which are said to be home to the city’s ‘only regulation Shinty pitch’ – through the People Make Glasgow Communities (PMGC) programme.
The PMGC programme allows local people, community groups, third sector, and other organisations to express an interest in having greater involvement in the management of local venues.
Following the decision, Councillor Malcolm Mitchell, who represents the Garscadden and Scotstounhill ward, stated he was “particularly pleased” to see the pitch preserved.
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Cllr Mitchell commented: "I am delighted that the long-lease on Peterson Park pitches was granted today.
“I want to pay tribute to members of Peterson Park CIC as well as council officers who got us to this point.
“This was all made possible thanks to Glasgow SNP's PMGC process, which empowers organisations to take on the running of community assets, provided they have community backing.
“This avoids sites becoming vacant and derelict. I'm particularly pleased to see the only regulation Shinty pitch in Glasgow preserved, ensuring that traditional sports are supported into the future."
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Peterson Park playing fields and changing pavilion is made up of eight changing rooms with showers and toilets (and one disabled toilet), two referee rooms with showers and toilets, an office, a plant room, a car park with 50 spaces, a grass Shinty pitch, a grass GAA pitch for Gaelic football and Hurling, a grass football pitch, and a multi-purpose training area.
Having, as a Glasgow Life facility, been closed in April 2020 due to the pandemic lockdown, the fields and pavilion were made available through the PMGC programme.
The Trust then applied for and was successful in gaining a licence to occupy.
By obtaining a 25-year lease, the Trust will be able to deliver a wide range of sports activities for the community.
These include Shinty, Gaelic football, and association football, fostering and growing these traditional sports to preserve their heritage and ensure future generations can play them.
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