Work is underway to upgrade the blaes football pitch at Wemyss Bay Primary School to a third generation Astroturf pitch with floodlighting.

The £315,000 project is part of the ongoing multi-million pound investment in the Schools Estate by Inverclyde Council.

Councillor Iain McKenzie, Convener of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee said: "This will be an important asset for both the school and the community. The new pitch will allow children and adults to enjoy sport all year round and in all weathers."

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Wemyss Bay Primary underwent a sixteen month £3.6m refurbishment before re-opening last December.

Councillor McKenzie added: "I was delighted the Committee was able to agree to invest in this new pitch, reversing the decision taken in May 2006 to remove it from the Schools Estate programme as a cost saving. Parents in Wemyss Bay quite rightly want the very best facilities for their children.

Ardgowan Football Development will be one community group using the new pitch. Chairman Iain Buchan said: "The Wemyss Bay Leisure Steering Group is thrilled to see work start on the new pitch for the Wemyss Bay area. Since setting up in February last year the group has worked hard with the local councillors and Inverclyde Council to see the area awarded new leisure facilities.

"The group is very active in achieving its goals and this pitch is only the beginning of a project to see better facilities for Wemyss Bay."

Work on the new pitch is expected to take twelve weeks to carry out.

(GK/JM)