Pupils at an East Renfrewshire secondary have hit the ground running this term thanks to the school’s new all-weather athletics track and sports pitch.

Created as a replacement for the out-dated blaes pitch, the new facility at Mearns Castle High School has provided pupils with a modern six-lane running track and a 3G pitch in the centre of the track.

A storage building for equipment has also been built, as well as floodlighting installed to ensure the facility can be used throughout the year.

Glasgow Times:  Councillor Andrew Anderson, Councillor Owen O'Donnell, Councillor Caroline Bamforth and Councillor Paul Edlin with school staff, pupils, council staff and representatives from the contractors Councillor Andrew Anderson, Councillor Owen O'Donnell, Councillor Caroline Bamforth and Councillor Paul Edlin with school staff, pupils, council staff and representatives from the contractors (Image: East Renfrewshire Council)

Councillor Andrew Anderson, convener for education, equalities, culture and leisure, told the Glasgow Times: “It is fantastic to see this facility completed and the school will now reap the benefits of having sports facilities which meet their needs.

“The old blaes-surfaced sports pitch and running track was around 40 years old and was in a poor state of repair, and so this improved facility provides the school with a pitch and track which can be used all year round.”

Glasgow Times: The new facilities at Mearns Castle High SchoolThe new facilities at Mearns Castle High School (Image: East Renfrewshire Council)

Local councillors, school staff, pupils, council staff and representatives from contractors AllSports Construction and Maintenance and Professional Sportsturf Design all joined together on Wednesday, August 23 to celebrate the completion of the project.

“We are committed to investing in the future of our children and young people, and these improved sports facilities will bring fantastic benefits to the school,” added Cllr Anderson.