Scottish soldiers get soccer pitch to sharpen shooting skills
Soldiers at a Scottish barracks can now take a well-deserved break from their duties in Afghanistan after the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) transformed a piece of derelict land into a new football pitch.
Working with industry partner Turner Estate Solutions (TES), DIO delivered the all-weather sports area for The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS).
The facility has been completed in time for soldiers in the infantry battalion to enjoy upon their return from operations to their base at Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik, in September.
Major Davey Harvey, Quartermaster 2 SCOTS, said:
“Our priority was to get a second Sports pitch as quickly as possible and we now have a second-to-none all-singing and dancing football pitch. When the soldiers arrive back from Afghanistan they will be extremely delighted.
“This facility will be greatly appreciated and heavily used by our officers, soldiers and their families for years to come. DIO and Turners are to be congratulated for this project work and delivering on time a magnificent all-year-round football pitch.”
The completed pitch will now be named: ‘Fusilier Field’. It has been built on land which has belonged to the MOD for over 100 years. It was an area where originally there had been various buildings, which had been demolished over the years.
John Rennie, DIO Dept Head Service Delivery North Scotland& Northern Ireland, said:
“DIO’s priority is to support our Armed Forces by providing the facilities they need to live, work and train as they prepare for operations. This project demonstrates what can be achieved by listening to our customer to deliver a much-needed requirement – in this case, a state-of-the-art artificial football pitch.”
Deputy General Manager Turner Estate Solutions Stuart Ross said:
“The new pitch is a testament to DIO and TES’s commitment to support our Armed Forces and their families. I’m sure it will become an extremely important asset for 2 SCOTS; their families and the community for a considerable time.”
Ends
Further information:
Press enquiries to DIO Communications Manager Tony Moran on 0121 311 3879 or email tony.moran572 @mod.uk
DIO website: www.gov.uk/dio
Notes to Editors
1. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
2. Our work includes providing, supporting and improving: operational units; single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, our heritage is protected and to achieve our environmental goals.
3. Photo caption – please credit ‘Crown copyright/MOD 2013’:
1 SCOTS versus 2 SCOTS competing on Fusilier Field at Glencorse Barracks
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