PEOPLE in Old Kilpatrick will be able to play tennis, basketball, netball and five-a-side football when a multi-use games area (MUGA) is built at Gavinburn Primary School.

West Dunbartonshire Council this week confirmed that the opening of the MUGA had been delayed by a further three months, but also said that when the facility finally opens at the end of the year, it will be available for public use.

The original planning application for the sports area and reconfigured car park had stated the MUGA would only be used during school hours.

Aspokeswoman forWest Dunbartonshire Council this week told the Post it had reversed its decision after listening to the views of locals.

She said: “In response to feedback from residents in Old Kilpatrick, the games area will be available for community use outwith school hours.

“The opening hours for public use is yet to be confirmed and will depend on demand. Typical opening hours for lets within school grounds are 6pm to 8pm Monday to Friday. Bookings will be taken by education services through the normal letting procedures.” Ian McDonald, chairman of Gavinburn Parent Teacher Council, said the MUGA would bring many benefits to children at the school, which he says, has the smallest playground in West Dunbartonshire. “During the day the MUGA will open up that space for the school to deliver different sports as part of the curriculum,” Mr McDonald said.

“It will allow for things like playing hockey when the Active Schools team comes. That’s the children being introduced to a sport that a lot of people go through their lives not playing.” Frustrated with the delays in building the MUGA, which originally had a completion date of March 31, 2015, Mr McDonald added: “I’m looking forward to the council confirming a date for when the work is beginning.” Floodlights will be erected on the site — where Gavinburn Library previously stood — to ensure the MUGA can be used in winter, whilst other measures have been proposed to mitigate the effects of longer opening hours on nearby residents.

The council has completed a noise impact assessment on the site, and has confirmed that a new design includes acoustic fencing to reduce sound travelling to nearby Kirk Crescent and Dumbarton Road.