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Can anybody tell me is there has been any pitch maintenance at all on the pitches of West Lothian during the close season. Where I regularly take the dog on a walk I have seen nothing other than about three cuts of the grass since early June and I see today they are burning lines and looking to put the goals back up.

Does our youth not deserve at least a little more than this? Last year I saw some returfing of goal mouths but this year nothing at all. I hope the people making these decisions are proud of their contribution to youth football in West Lothian. I noticed in particular the goal mouths, which are shaping into trenches, on the sevens pitches are worn away so much that only stones are left. They may regret it one day when a parent sues the council for neglect of facilities after a serious injury occurs. It won't be much of a saving then!!

West Lothian Leisure offered a few years ago to take on the maintenance of these pitches as they recognised they were of a poor standard. For whatever reason the council declined and they remain as bad if not worse than ever.

I have seen none of the sort in the parks we use....

I think the problem with turfing goalmouths during the summer is they need constant watering and although water is something We are not short in supply of it only takes a couple of days of sun and the rolls of turf start shrinking. Still, a little soil and grass seed would not cost a lot and would not be a labour intensive excercise.

I wonder if the parks used by the sports centre's have had any sort of maintenance done...

The parks at Bathgate Sports Centre have been seen to i think.

Frankie is correct here.
Both , top and bottom pitches have all received major drainage works.
The old 2g pitch has also been ripped up and is being replaced with 3g allegedly.
Not convinced the newly drained pitches will be up to scratch in time for the new season as the drainage slits are filled with fine sand and obviously settlement takes place.
Long term should be good with at least 4 pitches becoming available.

At least there is a good news story at one place in West Lothian. To be fair lots of cash has been spent at Bathgate Sports Centre.

Yes Silver Fox , the biggest stumbling block in the past was that there was only 1 home game allowed at a time due to changing facilities .
Now with the brand new complex this has changed.
Good news as you say with 4 good level pitches available.

There has been major drainage works going around West Lothian. The 2 pitches at Blackburn have been sand slit and drained and just as importantly so has the area's around the pitch that seems to hold all the water. Whitburn's had it done and so has the new pitches Livi Hearts will play on at Eliburn. The council did update us on this at the Football Forum, but I cant remember exactly where else was getting done. The top pitch at Blackburn also got main drains in which will help no end.

Part of the goal area at Pumpherston was re-turfed.