Early pitch talks offer Inverness Craig Dunain hope of a new home
INVERNESS Craig Dunain Rugby Club president Innes MacDonald will not forget May 3, 2000, for two very different reasons.
The sour memory is that was the last day that the team played in their last official home fixture, located next to the hospital, with the belief that a move to a new base would soon be on the cards.
The happier moment was that his son Struan was born on that day, which took away any disappointment that he could not take part in the game and was replaced by joy.
This Tuesday, some 17 years later, initial talks with Highland Council’s director of planning Stuart Black offered a chink of light that the club might find a place in the city they can once more call home.
The off-field drama began when Robertson Homes bought the ground on which the club used to successfully play in, when they were in the old North District League.
The plan was that the building firm would help Craig Dunain in their quest to find a new location.
However, nothing has happened and the club has been forced to fork out to play at Bught Park and train at South Kessock.
MacDonald told The Inverness Courier that “very positive talks” with the council this week will now lead to another sit-down meeting, which would also involve the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU), to ensure that everything being discussed would fall in line with their criteria.
“Our last game was May 3, 2000, the day my son Struan was born and we’re still looking for a new home to play rugby – we’ve effectively been homeless since then,” he said.
“This week’s initial meeting was very positive, although it’s all very much at the early stages. We are asking for space anywhere in Inverness that we could be based permanently.
“Wherever is suitable. Anywhere is an option and the council is keen to help us.
“In 2000, we were winning leagues and really on the up. A new home would help create a real sense of belonging. That’s so important for club spirit.”
While city neighbours Highland, who play in National Division Three, will be housed in new facilities as part of the West Link Road project, Craig Dunain are asking for a place for more local players to come and take part in the sport.
He senses the lack of a base is already costing them potential talent.
“We have a good relationship with Highland (Rugby Club), but we need a separate team as an option for players,” said MacDonald. “We had half a dozen lads from the university campus come down for training but they never came back again. They may have gone to Highland, I don’t know.
“The training pitch at South Kessock is floodlit but it can be muddy, bleak and the guys can’t even shower or go for a pint afterwards.
“They have to jump in the car and go home. When we want to hold meetings it can be in the back of a bar or in someone’s house, so that’s not ideal.
“We are paying through the nose for the use of the pitch (at the Bught) but we need a pitch that is ours.
“I believe Robertson Homes have been in contact with the council and I hope they will follow through with their support for any development. We’ll see what happens.”
On the pitch, things are looking up as well for the club, who compete in BT Caledonia Division Three.
A last-gasp 15-12 loss to Huntly last weekend keeps them in fourth spot, but a win tomorrow (2pm) against strong leaders Aberdeen University Medics would offer them hope of rejoining the promotion push.
The club also have a thriving new women’s side, which is running away with the National Development League and will, before long, be competing at a more challenging level to help them progress further.
The Courier reported this week that the future of junior football club Inverness City could be secured if talks with the council and Highland League club Clach lead to them – and other sports clubs – using a newly-proposed artificial surface at Grant Street Park in Merkinch.
However, a move away from the Bught is the main target for Craig Dunain, so they would be unlikely to replace City at the Lister Park area of the pitches.