HYNDBURN Leisure Centre could be set to get a range of new facilities as part of a £150,000 project.

Two new changing rooms, a coach education suite and two referees rooms will be built to allow competitive football matches to be played at the centre, in Henry Street, Church.

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It follows a separate £150,000 project to replace the ageing all-weather pitch, new fencing, lighting and landscaping, with work due to be completed this month.

Health and leisure officer Ben Caulfield said: “These additional facilities will allow the centre to significantly increase its football offer, as changing facilities are required to host competitive affiliated football, such as adult 11-a-side leagues and junior fixtures.

“It will also allow the leisure trust to hold specialist courses on site, including coaching and refereeing qualifications.”

The new builds would also be hired out, plans show.

The council’s cabinet last week agreed to put £10,000 aside for the project. The rest will come from the Premier League, it was hoped.

Mr Caulfield added: “An application has been submitted to the Premier League Facilities Fund by the leisure trust for £137,467 to fund this project.

“Both phases of this project will provide significant improvements to a council asset, as well as increasing opportunities for Hyndburn Leisure to generate income.”

In 2011, the Lancashire Telegraph reported how the future of the borough’s main leisure centre was secured after a £130,000 refurbishment project was announced.

Bosses admitted there had been a lack of investment since it opened in 1970, and said facilities, including changing rooms and the pool, would be upgraded.

And last month, the council announced ‘tired’ facilities at Mercer Hall Leisure Centre, in Queen Street, Great Harwood, would receive a facelift after vital funding was secured.

The swimming pool hall will be refurbished using National Lottery money worth around £56,000.

A new ceiling will be installed, tiling in the pool will be patched up, and the hall will be given a fresh lick of paint.

Improvement work on the roof has already started, with all the work due for completion by the end of next March.

Sport England’s property director Charles Johnston said: “This funding creates a long-lasting impact for many grassroots clubs and projects. We are looking forward to seeing these facility improvements make a huge difference to their local communities, and to help more people to play sport.”

Mercer Hall Leisure Centre was converted from a former dance hall in 1967.