FORMER local councillor Willie Clarke has officially opened the new Lochore Meadows Country Park visitor centre and sports pavilion.

The new centre, part of a £1.8 million investment, bears his name and the champion of the meedies was on hand to cut the ribbon in front of invited guests.

Willie said: "I see this as a new phase and a new opportunity to develop Lochore Meadows and the facilities it offers.

"The meedies has always had the potential to attract more people to visit and enjoy all that this area has to offer.

"We now have the opportunity to realise that potential.”

The park is now home to a new visitor centre facility with a café, two educational rooms, an outdoor decking area and public toilets with disabled access and baby changing facilities

An interpretation area displays information about the history of the park and interactive displays to help people get the most from their visit.

The new golf and football pavilion provides golf retail and coaching services with a PGA golf professional on site.

In addition to a public lounge area with toilets and disabled access facilities, the building has football changing rooms built to Sportscotland specification.

Whilst mainly hosting the local football team, Benarty Astros, it can also support other park events where possible.

Willie, who stepped down as a councillor for the Lochs ward in 2016 after 43 years service, stopped by the pavilion before leading guests to the visitor centre.

There was also a quick detour via Lochore Castle ruins to acknowledge the recent partial restoration work carried out there as part of the Living Lomond Landscape Partnership.

Convener of Cowdenbeath area committee, Councillor Linda Erskine, said: “The old visitor centre was tired and no longer fit for purpose.

"Although there were some who didn't want this new centre built I do believe, as a result of our investment, we now have a visitor centre which is a modern public facility for the park. "It has enjoyed a very positive reception from customers since opening earlier this year.

"I’m sure people will agree that there is no more fitting a tribute than to name it after someone who has had such a passion for the meedies for so many years.”

Councillor Judy Hamilton, convener of the community and housing services committee, added: “We want everyone to have access to good quality public greenspace and these improvements certainly reinforce Lochore Meadows place as a jewel in Fife’s crown.

"It’s very deserving of its newly appointed four star visitor attraction status from Visit Scotland.

“We’re also looking forward to further extending the outdoor pursuits offering in the area when we open Scotland’s first cycle circuit at the nearby Fife Cycle Park next month. "Coupled with the walks, bike trails and other outdoor activities available at Lochore Meadows, the local area is building a reputation as a destination venue for cycling and other leisure pursuits.”

The park’s new pavilion benefits from £83,000 of Legacy 2014 Active Places Funding from the Scottish Government through Sportscotland alongside £15,000 investment from Lochore Meadows Golf Club and £25,000 from Fife Golf Trust.

Stewart Harris, chief executive of Sportscotland, said: “At Sportscotland we are building a world-class sporting system for everyone, whatever their level, to help make sport a way of life in Scotland.

“This development at Lochore Meadows will ensure that more people are able to access the facilities and enjoy all that the park has to offer. That’s why we were delighted to make an award of £83,000 from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund, and to work with Fife Council and their partners on this terrific project which I am sure will have a positive impact on the local community for many years to come.”

For more information about Lochore Meadows Country Park visit www.lochoremeadows.org