Scarborough football pitch repair scheme completed

Extensive work to install a new playing surface at Scarborough Sports Village has been completed.

The 3G pitch, home to Scarborough Athletic FC and Scarborough Ladies FC, was due to be resurfaced last year, but this was delayed after unexpected structural issues were discovered.

The pitch was out of action for the entire 2025/26 campaign, forcing Scarborough Athletic to play home fixtures at Bridlington Town's ground.

Councillor Simon Myers, North Yorkshire Council's executive member for leisure, said the authority had been "wholly committed" to delivering the project and said it had been done "on time and under budget".

The community pitch underwent structural repairs to address issues identified during a site survey last year.

The initial cost of repairs and resurfacing work had been set at £3.2m.

"We have paid to resurface the pitch - all the other work has been done by the contractors, so that hasn't cost council taxpayers a penny," Myers said.

"So out of that £3.2m, the final cost to the council is less than 20%."

He added: "What a thrill to be here with it done, on time and at a very reduced cost."

Scarborough Athletic chairman Trevor Bull said having to share a ground had created a difficult 12 months.

"We played 47 away games instead of half of them at home," he said.

"We've lost a great deal of money in gate receipts, all that normal matchday income.

"It's been a challenge, but we got through it."

The chairman said the pitch looked "excellent", adding: "Councils are not renowned for doing things on time, but they absolutely delivered."

The work was carried out by Willmott Dixon, the firm that constructed the Sports Village.

Ed Pearson, of Willmott Dixon, said the work should ensure the pitch would be "fit for purpose for many years into the future".

Scarborough Athletic's first fixture at the refurbished ground will be a pre-season friendly against Barnsley on 25 July.

Discussing the deadline, Myers said: "We knew the damage that would be done if we missed it.

"I just hope the fans flock back here in a few weeks' time."

Club manager Jonathan Greening said: "It's great to see the pitch all done, all the works underneath rectified and it is looking really nice."

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