The new petanque piste in Penicuik Park is now open.  This project has been two years in the making and Penicuik Petanque Club are very grateful to all who have been involved in its delivery. Penicuik PC would especially like to thank the following people:

• Councillor Adam Montgomery for his enthusiasm and support for our cause in the early stages, for identifying the site and for being happy to help whenever needed.
• Penicuik Community Sport Hub for agreeing to fund the facility in full via their Sportscotland funding stream.  Community Sport Hubs are a Sportscotland initiative which aims to provide a lasting sporting legacy for community sport in the wake of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The piste is only one of several projects which Penicuik Community Sport Hub have helped deliver for its member clubs in its short history.
• Councillor Derek Rosie for his offer of financial assistance (which as yet has not been needed) and for helping to ensure the project was complete in time for the beginning of the 2013 season.
• To all Midlothian Council employees who have helped plan and deliver the project.

The petanque piste is a vital part Penicuik PC’s long term plan to develop a vibrant petanque club in Penicuik.  The club is open to all but they are especially keen to recruit young members. They are holding taster sessions for 200 school children in May and youth coaching sessions throughout June and July.  Their aim is to unearth the Scottish Champions of the future and to provide a pool of players from Penicuik who could be selected for the Junior World and Junior European Championships.

Equally as important as meeting the needs of Penicuik’s growing club, the piste also provides a valuable community resource.  It is open to the public and is free to use.  Penicuik PC have donated four sets of leisure boules, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, for members of the public to use.