Rockworks upgrading plans move a step closer

Plans to give the Rockworks community playing fields in Holm a new lease of life moved a step closer after Councillors agreed to provide a grant of up to £16,085 towards the project costs from the Council’s Community Development Fund. 

The Rockworks Community Sports Trust proposals for the community facility will cost just over £52,000 in total. The Scottish Football Association have confirmed a grant of £10,000 towards the project and the Trust await the outcome of funding applications from the Crown Estate Community Led Local Development Fund and Scottish Sea Farms. The CDF grant is subject to a full funding package being agreed. 

Donated by the late Alfred Flett, the land at Rockworks served as a community project, with overwhelming support and funding, transforming a World War Two site into a sporting facility. 

The Rockworks Community Sports Trust was established in 2016 to promote community involvement in the East Mainland of Orkney, nurturing healthy lifestyles and fitness of all participating sports, providing a fun and safe environment for all ages and abilities. 

The playing fields are used by East United junior and senior football clubs, East mini rugby, Parish Cup football and gala days. However, due to the age and waterlogging conditions of the pitch it is currently only reliably accessible for around two and half months of the year. 

Councillors at the Community Development Fund Sub-committee meeting on Thursday (28 March) gave the project their unanimous backing. 

Sub-committee Chair, Councillor Graham Bevan, said: “Communities that participate in sport and recreation develop strong social bonds and we are becoming more and more aware of the connection between physical activity - particularly when that can be enjoyed outdoors in our wonderful surroundings - and mental wellbeing. This is a very worthwhile project to support.”  

Liam Finn, from the Rockworks Community Sports Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful for the invaluable support we've received thus far from Voluntary Action Orkney and Orkney Islands Council. In a landscape where securing grants is very competitive, this achievement represents a significant milestone in our journey towards our objective. 

“Having a brilliant sporting facility serving the East and South Mainland Orkney parishes is absolutely vital and provides endless benefits, that will serve our community well into the future. Furthermore, this initiative stands to enhance facilities available for the Orkney Island Games in 2025.”