Published: Thursday, 4th February, 2010 8:43am

Dunfermline tennis centre a step nearer as Murray factor takes hold

by Ally McRoberts

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THE Andy Murray 'feelgood' factor could soon sweep into Dunfermline as the city has been shortlisted as a site for a major new tennis centre.

As revealed by the Press in October, the mum of the Scottish ace is looking to establish Judy Murray tennis centres across the country.

Andy had the nation behind him on Sunday as he contested the final of the Australian Open and his mother, who played for Dunfermline Tennis Club, wants to help produce more tennis talent.

Pitreavie playing fields was named as a possible site and that prospect has now moved a step closer.

Fife Council had been planning - in stages - a £4million football academy there but now they're drawing up plans to include tennis too.

Although they own the site, most of the site is leased by Dunfermline Athletic and the athletics centre is leased to the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust.

The Carnegie Dunfermline Trust also has a say.

Grant Ward, the head of leisure and cultural services, explained, "There is a commitment from all of the aforementioned to work collectively towards the long-term - and, by financial necessity, phased - delivery of at least a sub-regional soccer academy but we're also currently exploring the possibility of a more ambitious multi-sports academy.

"This has, in part, been prompted by Pitreavie playing fields having recently been shortlisted as one of the possible sites for the first Judy Murray Tennis Centre in Scotland.

"I believe there are five or six possible sites and our bid was made before Christmas.

"A final decision hasn't yet been made about the latter, but is expected shortly."

Labour MSP John Park said, "I think Pitreavie has the potential to be a centre for sporting excellence, not just for football as the Judy Murray tennis centre would be great as well.

"It has always been mentioned as a distinct possibility and I think they're looking at the 'table-top' area, overlooking the athletics stadium, as the site.

"With Andy Murray doing so well, and hopefully for many years to come, this centre could build on what he's done and give tennis a focus that it's probably never had in Scotland, outwith the two weeks of Wimbledon."

The council hope that can happen here and has already pledged £350,000 of funding for Pitreavie in the 2010-11 capital plan.

Although that's likely to go towards a new £700,000, full-sized 3G/4G football pitch, they hope it will start the ball rolling and encourage other investors to come forward.

Mr Ward said, "A site masterplan is currently being developed to reflect some of our early thinking on both the soccer and multi-sports academy proposals.

"Delivery-wise, we are currently looking at the possibility of establishing a 'Pitreavie Partnership' to help drive the project forward."

And he added, "While nothing's been agreed yet, the first step could logically be the provision of a new 3G or 4G synthetic turf pitch, although we would prefer a full-size pitch facility as opposed to a smaller seven-a-side facility."

Mr Park had asked Shona Robison, the Minister for Public Health and Sport, what was being done to provide football facilities in West Fife after highlighting the 900 kids who play at Pitreavie every Saturday.

The minister had said the provision of a sub-regional soccer academy in Dunfermline was one of the aims set out in the council's 'Fife's Sports Facilities Strategy 2008-2018', which has been endorsed by Sportscotland and the SFA.

Ms Robison also said Sportscotland had discussed plans for two seven-a-side 3G pitches at Glenrothes and one at Pitreavie.

Mr Park said, "Toryglen (near Hampden Park in Glasgow) is a national centre but ultimately you'd be looking for a smaller version of that, a sub-regional centre with facilities such as a covered, indoor full-sized football pitch.

"We already have the indoor athletics centre, we're talking about a covered football pitch in the longer term and an indoor tennis centre would be particularly welcome, as we're not graced with the best weather in Scotland.

"I'm really enthusiastic about Pitreavie, it's a big site with huge potential, and it's now about bringing people round the table so we can at least start with some development.

"In the current climate you have to think carefully about how you spend your money and the key thing for me here is you'd be spending it where it will have the widest impact and the greatest benefit.

"I'll continue to campaign for it as improving sporting facilities is really important for the community."