Barlia brightens up with Street Art

The Barlia Sports Complex in Castlemilk today unveiled its stunning, football themed street- art mural. It was created on behalf of the local Castlemilk Community Football Development Group and is the work of community artist Matt Bloomer and the pupils of Castlemilk and St Margaret Mary’s High Schools.

Matt went to both schools to look for ideas from the pupils themselves. He explained:  ‘I tried to expose them to as many materials as possible and different types of street art and see what ideas they came up with.’

The 3rd year pupils  involved,  are really proud of their work, which took them just over a week to complete.   The mural features two footballers celebrating and represent the famous Castlemilk footballing brothers Eddie and Frank Gray who played for Leeds in the 197os.

Joe Stewart, who is a Castlemilk High pupil,  enthused:  ‘The whole class was involved, but the goalie was my idea!’

The Barlia complex was opened in 1992 and really needed a revamp after 17 years. The pitches were renewed last year and now this colourful, vibrant look for the outside of the building really brings it alive. John Harkins of the Castlemilk Community Football Development Group hopes that this enthusiastic start will create a momentum for the building to become a centre for the community. Other developments are possible such as a football museum of the area and perhaps the renovation of an outbuilding at the complex into a clubhouse. A footballing programme will run at the Barlia throughout the summer.

For more information contact: The Barlia Sports Complex
60 Glenwood Path
Castlemilk
G45 0NT
Tel: 0141 634 5474