A £2 MILLION revamp of Ore Park in Glencraig has been unveiled.

Fife Youth Sports Academy are planning on transforming the derelict former home of the defunct Ballingry Rovers into a multi-use facility to serve the community.

The proposals include a pavilion; full-size astroturf pitch; a six-a-side pitch; a running track; new floodlights; and new fencing around the site.

The pavilion will include changing rooms, equipment space, rooms for coaching staff and referees and a small café.

An upstairs space will also be made available for any functions or use by community groups.

The pitches will be available to both football and hockey teams - as well as others sports clubs in and around the area - for practices during the winter when their own facilities are out of action.

A community asset transfer from Fife Council is nearing completion, and the demolition of the existing - and badly damaged - buildings at Ore Park will be the first stage of the project.

Fundraising for the project will take place at the start of next year.

A spokesperson told the Times: “As well as supporting, encouraging and developing young sporting talent in the area (boys and girls), the Academy plans to support coaching staff and referees through accredited courses.

“Over time, there will also be new jobs created for the area; and staff/volunteers will also be supported through relevant training.

“This is an exciting and ambitious new development and is expected to cost in the region of £2 million.

“The project has the full support of Fife Council, who have agreed a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) of the park to the Fife Youth Sports Academy. It also has the support of the schools within Benarty and Lochgelly, as well as the football teams. This is because they recognise the benefits the development will bring to them and to the community more widely.”

The project will be developed in phases, starting with the demolition of the existing buildings on the site, which have been an eyesore in the community for years and are now in a “dangerously dilapidated condition”, the Academy said.

Construction work is expected to start on the site next summer.

Fife Youth Sports Academy - formerly known as Fife Sons of Struth Football Academy - will be hosting an Open Day this Sunday (November 27), from Noon to 4pm in the Miners Welfare Institute in Lochore.

The detailed plans for the site and the pavilion will be on display, together with an artist’s impression of what the building will look like when it is finished. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Open Day is also an opportunity for people or organisations to register their support for the project.

Fife Council’s community manager Tim Kendrick commented: “We’re working together with Fife Youth Sports Academy to finalise the terms of a community asset transfer for Ore Park.

“The application has been evaluated in line with the community empowerment act and the request to lease with an option to purchase after five years approved by the Assets, Property and Facilities Committee. This is a great example of what community groups can do to help bring new life to local assets.”