The all-weather football pitch at Carnie was provided through planning gain when the first phase of housing was developed at Leddach Grange. The original plan was to have a couple of turf pitches and some sort of pavillion. The plans were then changed to have the main pitch surfaced with an all-weather material which did not leave enough funds for a pavillion. Four short years ago, I remember the pitch being flood-lit, good-sized goals in place with the older teenagers playing football quite happily at one end with the younger kids being able to join in or play on the other half. The youngsters took responsibility for switching on and off the lights and I think this system worked very well. It was a good community facility.

Since then, someone in their wisdom decided that the youngsters were not responsible enough to manage the lights and the developers switched them off and padlocked the control box. On a recent visit to the pitch, I noticed it is looking a bit tatty and the goals would look more at home in a nursery playground.

I know all the leisure facilities in Westhill and Elrick are being looked at to see if they can be better managed and used more efficiently. How would you like to see the AWP being managed? Who do you think should run it? Should it be a free-for-all or should a booking system be used? Would you like to see some sort of pavillion or changing rooms provided? Please comment below or send me an email with your thoughts.