Kelty Hearts begin work to install new artificial pitch

The Maroon Machine are preparing for life in League Two after four-season stay in Scottish football's third tier came to an end.

They were relegated after finishing bottom of the table, picking up six wins in 36 games, and chairman, Jordan Gardner, said it would provide an opportunity to "rebuild and reset every aspect of this organisation".

His American consortium took a majority shareholding in the club in January and, in an end-of-season statement, he spoke of his disappointment at suffering the drop.

However, he also felt the team "showed significant improvement" in the second half of the campaign, and that they were "working closely with Tam (O'Ware, manager) on rebuilding the squad for the summer".

Additionally, Gardner noted that the club were "in the process of investing in infrastructure improvements at the stadium", and work has now begun.

That has included the beginning of the resurfacing, and installation, of a new artificial pitch, as well as upgrades in floodlighting.

A new pitch is being laid at the ground. (Image: David Wardle.)

Last August, the Times reported that both the Scottish Football Association, and Fife Council, were each set to provide almost £178,000 towards the work.

In 2016, the council provided cash from their Community Investment Fund to support the development of a new facility to replace the former Kelty Community Centre.

That included the synthetic pitch at the ground which, in addition to the first team, is also used regularly by Kelty Hearts Community Club, and the village's primary schools.

A council report stated: "The upgraded surface will benefit the whole community, improve safety, usability and sustainability and will comply with the pitch requirements of the SPFL." 

It is anticipated that the new pitch will be completed within the next five weeks, with the club saying that it will "provide long-term benefits for both Kelty Hearts FC, and Kelty Hearts Community Club, for years to come.

Additionally, restoration and repairs are being undertaken to the seated stand, whilst there are also plans to upgrade the players' changing rooms, the social club facilities, and the club shop.

There are a number of upgrades to facilities at the ground set to take place. (Image: David Wardle.)

In April, Kelty also submitted a planning application to create a 61-space car park to the north of New Central Park, on vacant land to the east of the community centre, accessed from Main Street.

It would include four disability parking bays and the club noted that work was "expected in the future as part of ongoing plans to improve access and infrastructure around New Central Park".