Leisure bosses say a massive multi-million pound investment by Inverclyde Council will make a real difference to people’s health and lifestyles.

The biggest single project announced in the Council’s two year budget earlier this month is a £10.9m flagship leisure facility at Rankin Park.

The new centre will boast a games hall providing 8 badminton courts, two indoor 5-a-side pitches and capacity for netball, basketball and indoor hockey.

The facility will also incorporate a new South West Library. It will have over 40,000 books, an audio-visual section with DVD’s and CD’s and public access computers with free internet, including a self-contained learning suite for classes.

Many successful new libraries have been on shared sites with sports centres and this development provides an opportunity to attract new users to the library.

Convener of Inverclyde Council’s Regeneration Committee Councillor Jim Clocherty said: "This Council is determined to improve the health and quality of life of the people of Inverclyde. This is a real commitment to encourage our citizens to participate in sport, socialise and make full use of state-of-the-art library facilities."

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The centre will replace the existing Greenock Sports Centre which opened its doors more than thirty years ago.

Inverclyde Leisure currently run the Council's leisure facilities and will help in pulling together the final design for the new centre.

Chief Executive John Higgins said: "It is fantastic. We have been in discussion with the Council for the past few years about improving leisure facilities in Inverclyde. The plan to site the library at Rankin Park is a great idea because education must go hand in hand with leisure."

As well as the sports hall and library the new centre will also feature a 50-station fitness gym, dance studio, at least four 5-a-side outdoor pitches and a full size 3G field turf synthetic pitch.

Inverclyde Council Deputy Leader and Sports Champion Councillor Iain McKenzie said: "At a time of economic uncertainty we are investing heavily in Inverclyde’s future. We hope Rankin Park will become a model for the whole of Scotland as we strive to improve lives and give people the sporting, social and educational opportunities they deserve.

"For too long Rankin Park has lain derelict but in a few years it will be a focal point for the community and an asset everyone in Inverclyde can feel justifiably proud of."

The Rankin Park site will also be able to host special events such as gymnastics competitions, boxing nights and snooker tournaments.

(GK/JM)