A new £1.5m sports facility is nearing completion at Rankin Park, Greenock.

The plans include creating a pavilion with two team changing rooms, a changing room for officials and a separate disabled changing area. With a majority of the work already completed, Inverclyde Council said that the contractors will work over the coming months to complete the landscaping around the pavilion and car park. The pitch area will also be prepared in order to allow the turf to be laid. Extra irrigation will then be applied to the pitch to ensure the grass "takes", and be ready for use in summer 2015.

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Welcoming the progress being made, Environment & Regeneration Convener Councillor Michael McCormick, said: "This will be a top class venue for people to enjoy. It will help promote healthy lifestyles and give people the opportunity to get involved in sport and to enjoy all of the social benefits that can bring. A great deal of work has already been completed and when Rankin Park is ready we will be the proud owners of yet another tremendous asset for the local community."

Regeneration Vice Convener Councillor Jim Clocherty added: "The original plan was to lay the turf last summer however we were delayed by pipework under the pitch area which had to be addressed and the delay meant we missed our window to get the new surface laid. Rather than compromise on the quality of the work it was decided to put off laying the turf until this year to ensure we get it right."

(JP/IT)