WHEELCHAIR USERS SHELTER
On Saturday 23rd September 2007 Steven Wight cut the ribbon to officially open the long awaited ‘All Weather Shelter’ for Livi wheelchair users.
Steven is just one of the supporters of Livingston FC that have turned out to many home games and suffered the miserable Scottish weather, that pours down on fans that are unable to take shelter from the regular winter, and all too often summer, downfalls that make the Scottish game just a little more slippery!
The project to construct a Shelter for wheelchair users, was talked about before the Club entered Administration, and ever since The Lionheart Consortium took control, it has been high on the agenda of the Livi For Life Supporters Trust, as we sought to bring it to reality. The Trust looked at this project as one which supporters of the Club could manage from conception to completion, and has acted as liaison between the two throughout the now lengthy period.
It was important that if the fans were financing this project, that the accountability was unquestionable, and that the result would be built in the right place, at the right price, for the right purpose – to make those fans who access the ground by wheelchair, just a little more comfortable and hopefully allow them to go home at the end of the game a little happier, but more especially dry. It is unfortunate that the design of the Stands is such that no matter which direction the wind blows, if it rains, the front walkways (and sometimes the front rows of seats too!) will get a soaking.
Over the last 2 years, fans have sung at karaoke nights, answered questions at Pop Quizzes and even designed, manufactured and sold 10th Anniversary scarves, to help finance the project, and indeed have put in a lot of time and effort. We also had some private donations towards the funds.
It has been a hard slog to find the right location and design a shelter that met all Legal requirements, including Health and Safety, and Buildings Standards, and provide a facility that will fit the purpose. Building Regulations required that the original design be higher than we had wanted it to be, and you may even notice the use of some cushioning round the uprights – for when the fans go wild at another Livi goal, and bump into the frame – Yes – we had to think of everything!
Construction of the shelter was undetaken by local company JC Welding who, through proprietor Jimmy Charles and son David, have enjoyed a long association with Livi FC as season ticket holders. Many thanks go to Jimmy and David for helping to make the shelter plans a reality.
It is a great achievement that the supporters have united to benefit their fellow fans and ultimately make Livingston Football Club a better place to be. Well done to all those who have supported fund raising events, bought scarves, and made such generous donations. It is still amazing that something so simple can take so much effort, but we got there.
Thanks one and all!