A celebration of the official re-opening of Castletown football pavilion was celebrated at an event on Saturday (29th April 2023) attended by guests including representatives of funding bodies and as well as tradespeople who carried out the work.
The £45,000 revamp includes upgrades to changing rooms, new showers and the Quarrymen's Bar featuring a "legends wall" with framed shirts of distinguished former players on display. The team is known as the Quarrymen because of the village's historic links to the flagstone industry.
Club president Jimmy Gunn was invited to cut the green ribbon to officially open the new facilities. Mr Gunn was joined by his nine-year-old grandson Kian Sutherland.
Almost £21,000 was awarded by the Caithness and North Sutherland Fund, while £3000 came from the Baillie Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, both administered by Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
A share of the proceeds from the sale of the village's Traill Hall also went towards the refurbishment, and the club used some of its own funds.
A donation came from Brian and Fiona Mackenzie, whose late son Marc was a Castletown player, committee member and supporter.
The facilities at Back Park are used by the Castletown men's team, who play in Division One of the Caithness Amateur Football Association summer league, and Caithness ladies, who compete in the Scottish Women's Football Highlands and Islands League, as well as by youth sides.
The full press report can be read online here
Written by comms@caithnesschamber.com
Baillie Windfarm Community Benefit Fund
Naver Business Centre, Naver House, Naver Road, Thurso
Registered in Scotland: SC455608
