RIBBLE Valley Council hopes to boost its coffers by £95,000 a year when new 3G pitches open to the public.

Work has started on the £1.4million Edisford Sports Complex in Clitheroe, which will include a full-size artificial grass pitch and also see two existing five-a-side pitches refurbished.

A report to go before the council’s community services committee next week details the revenue the authority hopes to gain when the £1.1m project is completed.

Booking the pitches will cost £38 per hour, while the main pitch will cost £38 per hour for 1/3, £60 per hour for half and £100 per hour for the full pitch.

Bosses hope the new facility will be open by September and bookings will be available once the committee agrees on the charges.

Head of cultural and leisure services, Mark Beveridge, said: “In arriving at the proposed new charges, consideration has been given to the market and what other sites in neighbouring authorities charge, as well as consultation with the local football leagues and the FA.

“The income target for the year commencing April 1, 2020, is £95,000 and a charging scheme has been devised which seeks to maximise income whilst acknowledging that we are competing with other pitches within a short drive time.

“This is important because clubs especially are used to travelling to the Prairie in Burnley, Accrington Academy and Colne to play matches and train on full size pitches now.

“Therefore their prices have been used as a guide when devising our own.

“Casual users booking during the winter or the summer will receive a five per cent discount off the rate if they book for four months consecutively or 10 per cent if they book for eight months or more continuously, providing they pay by direct debit.

“This scheme will provide first class facilities for its users and be available for clubs, individuals and other organisations to hire.

“It addresses a need that had been demonstrated to the council over many years and is likely to be welcomed and well used.”

Simon Hore, chairman of the council’s community services committee, said: “This exciting scheme will meet the demand for more and better artificial pitches and contribute significantly to the development of sport and community activity in the borough, by facilitating a range of year-round activities unaffected by the weather.

“The new full-size artificial pitch will be FIFA and World Rugby-accredited and the refurbished area will include two five-a-side pitches, plus a multi-surface area suitable for tennis, netball, cricket, football and hockey.

“We also plan to work with the youth service and police to provide diversionary activities for local young people that will extend beyond football.”