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St Georges Park Infrastructure Works - Thurso FC
organisation
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Proposal code: THC-2026-04-113
Thurso Football Club in the short-term is looking to secure funding for vital infrastructure improvements due to facilities current poor condition. Ensure continued use for all the local community.
Estimated Price
£150,000
Background - Thurso Football Club is optimistically working towards a long term lease of Sir George’s Park in Thurso to secure a sustainable, long-term home that supports the development of football and community sport in the Thurso area. 1. Long-Term Stability and Sustainability the Leasing of Sir George’s Park to Thurso FC enables the club to plan effectively for the future and future development. A long-term lease allows for responsible investment in facilities, maintenance, and infrastructure improvements that is not viable under the current arrangements. The facility has not had any investment and or been maintained for some time. The current state of the park and facilities are quite poor. The current pitch is well used during the summer and winter months for football and training, has no floodlighting and often experiences waterlogging after heavy rain. We would hope to improve the surface with a view to reducing the number of cancellations and postponements of fixtures, with the possibility of flexibility and extended use through the winter. 2. Short-Term Progress Although a long term lease of the facility is the protracted vision for the St Geroge’s Park (Dammies) and Thurso FC in the short term the facility still falls under the ownership and management of the Highland Council and Highlife Highland respectively. The lease process can take some time to be processed so in the short term we need to look at getting the work carried out and funded as soon as possible. The advice from a local landscaping specialist is that the current surface is very close to being lost forever in its current form which, would result in the need for an entire resurfacing if improvements are not made in the short term. It would be unusable for all. 3. Community Benefit and Accessibility Sir George’s Park would remain a focal point for community activity. Thurso FC is committed to ensuring the facility supports youth football, women’s football, grassroots development, and community events. Leasing the park would strengthen the club’s ability to deliver inclusive sporting opportunities for all age groups. 4. Development of Youth and Pathway Football A modern and well maintained facility is essential for developing structured youth pathways. Leasing Sir George’s Park would enable Thurso FC to partner with other local clubs and expand coaching programmes, host youth fixtures, and provide a clear progression route from grassroots to senior football within the local area. 5. Financial Responsibility and External Funding A formal lease arrangement and partnering with other local clubs strengthens and unlocks the club’s eligibility for external funding from sporting, renewables and energy bodies and grant providers. Many funding streams require security of tenure and formal partnerships before awarding grants for facility upgrades, making the lease critical to unlocking future investment that benefits both the club and the community. 6. Positive Partnership with Stakeholders The proposed lease represents a collaborative partnership between Thurso FC and the Highland Council. By taking on defined responsibilities, the club can reduce the operational burden on the owner while ensuring Sir George’s Park continues to be actively used, valued, and well maintained. 7. Preserving and Enhancing a Local Sporting Asset It will ensure the long-term protection of an important local sporting asset. Through active use, community support, consistent maintenance and funding the ground will be safeguarded against decline, underuse, or loss, securing its future for generations to come. 8. Current and Anticipated Users and Participation - Thurso FC, Caithness Ladies FC, Local Youth Team, Summer football teams and leagues and Community and casual hire users. Initial Development - The existing facility infrastructure is significantly sub-standard and fails to meet modern safety and inclusivity requirements. Specifically, the absence of level-access thresholds or compliant ramping means the site currently offers no disability access, creating a physical barrier that fails to meet statutory requirements under the Equality Act. This issue is compounded by the poor condition of existing pathways, which are uneven, narrow, and lack the proper surfacing. Furthermore, the drainage system is non-existent for both the pitch and any makeshift walkways resulting in frequent surface water and ponding that further degrades all infrastructure. The pitch itself often is unavailable for use from months October through to March, with very small windows of use and if used in the wrong conditions, problems are compounded. Consequently, the combination of restricted accessibility and failing infrastructure renders the current access routes relatively functionally unfit for safe public use. Initial works is to improve access, parking, walkways (inclusive of disability) and pitch drainage. Below is a breakdown of works complete with estimation of costs based on feedback from contractors.
- Survey work / map (already completed)
- Enabling and bulk Earthworks
- Access, Parking and Pedestrian walkways drainage
- Compacted gravel / grasscrete surface finishing for above
- Pitch Drainage and grass surface improvements by way of primary and secondary drainage and gravel banding.
Estimates
Parking & pathways inc. enabling, drainage and surface finish
100,000
Grass pitch upgrade inc. drainage
50,000
Total Indicative
£150,000
Sir George's Park is in desperate need of refurbishment. Caithness United would love to be able to use the facility more but unfortunately it's not suitable due to its current state.