Multi-Use Games Areas Ready for New School Session
A £600,000 plus programme to install new multi-use games areas (MUGA’s) at primary schools across Inverclyde is nearing completion at the start of the new school session.
Work began in January on a £330,000 project to replace the blaes pitch at St Ninian’s Primary School in Gourock with a state-of-the-art games area.
Measuring 54 metres by 36 metres the new surface is suitable for football, netball, basketball and general play.
Inverclyde Council has also invested around £300,000 in smaller MUGA’s – 15.6 metres by 10.8 metres - at six other primary schools in the area.
They are Inverkip Primary, St Joseph’s Primary, King’s Oak Primary, St Francis’ Primary, St Mary’s Primary and St Michael’s Primary.
Education & Communities Convener Councillor Terry Loughran said: “The Council has long-held education and leisure as priorities and this investment delivers first class facilities at the heart of our education system. It is vital that we encourage sport and play from a very early age and these new pitches will provide added incentive to children to get outside and take part in a wide variety of sports.”
The £5.9 million refurbishment of Ardgowan Primary incorporates a new 135 square metre multi-use games area complete with raised social space, seating and covered canopy structure.
Pupils at St John’s Primary in Port Glasgow will also benefit from a new MUGA as part of the £2.8 million refurbishment project which is nearing completion.
The £4.27 million refurbishment of Kilmacolm Primary also includes a new MUGA to replace the existing blaes pitch which should be completed by the autumn next year.
Councillor Loughran added: “We originally allocated over a million pounds for the MUGA programme but have been able to deliver it £400,000 under budget. That is great news and has allowed us to look at upgrading the two grass pitches at Moorfoot and Gourock primary schools. I am delighted to be able to tell people the majority of our 20 primary schools now have new games areas and I am sure that delight is shared by the children that use them.”
Photo: The new MUGA at St Ninian’s Primary School, Gourock.
Head teacher Lesley McCabe, Education Convener Councillor Terry Loughran, Education Vice Convener Councillor James McColgan, Classroom Assistant Joanne Scott and Class Teacher Susan Mooney with P3 and P4 pupils.