A COTSWOLD leisure centre is to enjoy a major upgrade with the installation of an artificial turf pitch.

Contractors have been appointed for the new sand dressed pitch at Chipping Norton Leisure Centre.

The new pitch is to replace the existing Tarmac surface which has reached the end of its life, and is designed to meet the" growing and more varied needs of residents".

Chipping Norton Leisure Centre, which opened in 2002, is located at Chipping Norton School and is owned by West Oxfordshire District Council. The authority has now appointed sports construction specialist S&C Slatter following a competitive tendering process, and is spending more than £85,000 on the project, with work due to be completed by the summer.

READ MORE: Chipping Norton Leisure Centre set for major upgrade

Councillor Jeanette Baker, cabinet member for leisure and health, said: “This will be a fantastic, modern facility which will lend itself to a whole range of sports and activities. It will be of great benefit to leisure centre members and pupils at Chipping Norton School over the course of many years.”

Last year cabinet members approved an investment of £100,000 for the all-weather pitch which will be sourced from section 106 developer funding, generated by a residential scheme in the town. The remaining funds will be used to buy new sports equipment to be used by leisure centre users.

A further £10,000 will go towards the gym improvements which will also receive £144,000 of funding from the council’s leisure facilities operator GLL Better. The appointment of S&C Slatter as contractors was approved at the council’s latest cabinet meeting, held on January 16.