Jeanfield Swifts Community FC is taking the first steps in a fantastic opportunity to develop its offering and facilities at the Riverside in Perth. Having been selected by the Scottish Football Association as one of three clubs nationwide to participate in a Big Lottery-funded pilot project on Developing Community Clubs, the group is now seeking the views of the local community on its plans for the future.

In front of a full lounge at the Riverside Stadium on Monday , 27 November, the club presented its initial Development Masterplan, comprising redeveloped playing and training facilities, as well as brand-new community spaces for use by local groups, alternative education, healthcare providers and other local sporting bodies. An element of social housing has also been included, as has provision for a sustainable heating scheme. A video of what the final development might look like was shown on the night.

In a move that demonstrates its commitment to the area, Swifts are looking to help the local community take on ownership of the new facility, ensuring a lasting legacy from which residents will benefit for generations to come. The club has already identified a number of evidence-based needs from existing research done in the community. Now they are seeking to add to this knowledge by kicking off a much deeper fact finding and community engagement exercise.

Speaking to The Courier after the meeting, club committee member Steve Antoniewicz said, “The key question we must ask is what needs does our community have? Our research has already told us about issues around school attendance, employment, drugs, alcohol, general health and mental wellbeing. As a very visible part of the community we could be at the forefront of helping to address some of these problems, and others that we uncover as we move forward.”

The club will announce details of its plans for community engagement shortly, but anyone with an interest in the project is invited to follow the Jeanfield Swifts Community FC page on Facebook and to sign up for the Swifts Masterplan Newsletter, which will provide regular updates by e-mail.