WORK on the brand-new £7 million sports and community hub in Kelty is well under way.

Meanwhile, plans for the new Kelty Hearts synthetic turf pitch connected to the site were also submitted recently. With the demolition of the former community centre complete, construction work on the new hub and primary school extension began at the start of December.

The latest stage has seen foundation works carried out to prepare for the installation of a pre-fabricated superstructure.

The construction works are said to be on schedule with the job anticipated to be finished by the end of this year.

The initial plans for the new site on Kelty’s Main Street were submitted in April last year and they included a proposal to replace Kelty Hearts’ grass pitch with a new artificial one.

Plans for the installation of this synthetic turf ‘4G’ pitch which includes the erection of lighting columns and spectator barriers and fencing at Central Park, appeared on the council’s planning website in the last few weeks.

Cowdenbeath MSP, Alex Rowley said, “It’s progressing really well. Back in October/November, when I met with the site project manager and he said that everything was weather-permitting in terms of a tight timescale, I was a bit fearful that winter could delay things.

“It hasn’t and everything is working and seems to be on schedule. I’m very pleased”.

He added, “The sports facilities themselves will be first-class and to have the full-size, all-weather park will also be very welcome. It can be used by schools during the day and by the wider community. Local clubs can book it for weekends and evenings and of course Kelty Hearts will play on the park. I’m absolutely delighted with the progress.” The pitch will be managed from the Kelty Centre where changing accommodation and toilets will be provided and there will be a 2m-wide footpath linking the pitch and the centre. Proposals are also on the table for new spectator barriers, hardstanding areas, six floodlight columns, a higher fence and a re-grading of the existing spectator mound and standing areas.