UPLAWMOOR has welcomed the beginning of a new era for sport in the village, with the opening of its new multi-use games facility.

The facility, called a ‘MUGA’ for short, has been installed to make it possible for a wide variety of games to be enjoyed at Mure Park all year round.

Uplawmoor Development Trust began work on the project after a survey of the community identified a lack of sports facilities for local schoolchildren and adults alike.

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In spring 2017, the trust began applying for grants and, earlier this year, reached its target of £70,000 – making the dream a reality.

Work was carried out over the summer and, on Friday, pupils from Uplawmoor Primary became the first people to play on the MUGA at its grand opening.

A ceremonial ribbon was cut by headteacher Fiona McKay, along with pupils Rowan Gorman, Ava Harvey and Andrew Rogers, who won a competition seeking ideas for new games and activities that can be played on the MUGA.

Funding was provided by East Renfrewshire Council, the National Lottery’s Awards for All Scotland scheme and the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.

Uplawmoor Development Trust secretary David Riddet said: “East Renfrewshire Council was a major granter of funds for this project and, without that funding, the project may not have gone ahead, so the trust was happy to accept that Uplawmoor Primary School will have priority over its use.

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“Of course, that will be almost exclusively during school hours. At all other times, it will be available to anyone.

“To encourage teams to be set up to use the MUGA, Uplawmoor Development Trust will have a small fund available, to help those teams get started, perhaps with kit, trophies or some professional coaching.

“We do so want this facility to benefit the village and ask that all think of ideas for other uses which will encourage exercise, community involvement and, most importantly, fun.”