A significant refurbishment of Ferguslie Sports Centre will kick off in the coming months after a contract award was approved.

Councillors agreed the works should be carried out by City Gate Construction (Scotland) at the finance, resources and customer services policy board on Thursday.

The agreement – which a report confirmed is worth more than £570,000 – will see internal and external refurbishment works carried out at the Renfrewshire Council owned community facility.

The contract forms part of the cultural infrastructure programme, which aims to improve external sports facilities.

The works consist of major structural alterations to the changing room, as well as roof repairs, boiler plant replacement and partial rewire works.

Councillor Kenny MacLaren, who represents Paisley Northwest, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the plans were “great news”.

He added: “It’s always good to keep on top of these things.

“Properties like Ferguslie Sports Centre need investment over time so that they can continue to be attractive for people who want to use them.

“It’s a well-used facility so it’s good to see that investment in it, both for people in the community and the clubs who use it.

“It’s a positive move because it will ultimately refresh it and keep it up-to-date.

“It also means any issues that have arisen can be resolved.”

While 13 organisations expressed an interest in the project during the live tender period, just four submitted a tender response by the closing date of Thursday, July 20.

City Gate Construction (Scotland) was adjudged to be the most “economically advantageous” of those presented to the local authority.

Councillors on the board have authorised the head of corporate governance to award the contract, as well as the tendered total of £573,984.47 excluding VAT and an additional 10 per cent contingency for any unforeseen works.

The proposed date of possession is October 30 this year and the works are expected to be complete by April 21 next year.

However, any changes to these dates will be confirmed in the council’s letter of acceptance.