A HAMPSHIRE college is to receive a major cash boost to build new sports facilities.

An all-weather pitch could be created at Wyvern College in Fair Oak at the total cost of £1.13m.

It comes as the existing external sports provision at the college is “undersized for a

9FE secondary school”, a document has revealed.

According to the plans, the new synthetic turf football pitch will replace the existing multi use games area.

A new access, barrier gate as well as five extra parking spaces are also set to be provided at the site.

The cash boost will also help upgrading the IT infrastructure at the school.

The college caters for 11-to-16-years old and has about 1,300 students.

The plans are now set to be approved by Cllr Roz Chadd, executive member for education and skills at Hampshire County Council today.

An official report published ahead of the meeting reads: “Hampshire County Council is committed to providing successful provision where possible. Currently there is a need to provide additional sports facilities. The proposed new facilities provide a modern education environment which improves the teaching and learning facilities available to the students at the school.These improved sporting facilities increase the opportunities for students to engage in physical activity. ”

The number of students attending the school is not planned to increase as a result of these proposals, the authority said.

According to the report, Wyvern College together with the adjacent Fair Oak Infant and Junior Schools will remain open during the construction period and measures will be put in place to manage the health and safety of staff and students during the construction period on site.

It is proposed that the contractor will access the school site via the existing shared access road but the contractor’s working areas will be segregated from the school users.

The work is expected to start during the summer term 2020 and complete by September 2020.

Mike Thornton, county councillor for Bishopstoke and Fair Oak, welcomed the plan and said: “A new all weather pitch will be a great asset to the college. Sport plays a vital part in education.”