Sunday 21st of May will be a significant day for many East Fife fans as that will be the last day that a grass pitch will be seen at Bayview Stadium. Fifers For The Community (FFTC), a charity group set up two years ago have been working closely with East Fife Football Club and are now able to announce that work on installing a new 3G surface will begin on Monday 22nd of May with the project due to be completed by Friday 14th of July.

The project will consist of a new 3G pitch and surrounds within the existing boundary walls giving up to five playing areas - three at 50m x 30m and two at 40m x 20m. but when required a pitch, exactly the same size as the existing grass pitch will be available for East Fife FC to fulfil their SPFL and SFA match requirements. At all other times the full surface will be made available for community use.

In addition there will be new changing and toilet facilities outside the existing boundary wall and the pitch will be accessible through a new entrance. FFTC will also heighten the existing boundary wall, erect security fencing around the new facilities, install CCTV cameras and provide protective netting for the various pitches.

All the work which will be done both inside and outside Bayview is the result of grants, donations and fundraising. The bulk of the money raised is through a grant made by Fife Council along with an additional grant by the Scottish Football Partnership Trust. We are currently awaiting a decision from Sportscotland on a bid which has reached the final adjudication stage. This has all been topped off by a significant anonymous donation, Trustee donations and a very successful fundraising effort.

From day one the FFTC project was planned to be self-financing with all costs being met with income from pitch hires. The major cost will be an annual provision which will allow the 3G surface to be replaced in approximately six or seven years.

The 3G pitch is the focal point of what will be a community hub. Preliminary discussions have been held with a range of interested parties including Gingerbread, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Disability Sport Fife and Levenmouth Academy with a view to identifying and developing activities and support services.

East Fife FC have supported this project from the beginning and are providing facilities which need to be used to benefit the whole community.

FFTC can do this by ensuring that opportunities are created which will benefit the more disadvantaged in the community. Through sport and the appropriate support, we can help promote health, wellbeing, education and employment.

To date the project has been driven by the Trustees but when the pitch is laid and community services are being developed the project will need more support.

Anyone who feels they can help on a voluntary basis or any businesses and organisations who think they can contribute should contact the Trustees on email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07962 245388 or 07545 837307