Inverclyde Council in Scotland has drawn up its final proposals for a £20m leisure facility overhaul as part of the area's regeneration.

A recent meeting, held by the council's regeneration committee, looked at possible options for the Parklea Playing Fields, Rankin Park, Ravenscraig Stadium, Gourock Park and the Gourock Outdoor Pool. Options for the stadium site include new or upgraded changing facilities, improvements to the athletics track and a new or improved stand.

Part of the funds may be put towards upgrading the Parklea Playing Fields by laying a third generation football pitch and introducing new changing facilities. An alternative proposal for the site is for the council to sell the King George V playing fields and Kelburn Park, parts of Parklea it owns, to a private developer in order for it to build a new leisure centre. There are two options being explored for the Gourock Pool site which could result in either £1.8m worth of repairs to the existing structure or its demolition, making way for developers to submit proposals for a retail and restaurant development.

A new £11m sports campus on the site of Rankin Park is also being considered to replace the existing Greenock Sports Centre and could feature an eight-court sports hall, a dance studio and gym as well as a five-a-side and third-generation football pitch. The plans also include a library to replace the existing South West Library. Finally, the proposals for Gourock Park involve a £400,000 upgrade of the pavilion to make it suitable for disabled people and revamping the open air auditorium. Alternatively, community groups have been invited to consider developing sports facilities on the site including a mountain bike trail and upgraded pitches.

Regeneration convener councillor Jim Clocherty said: “I am delighted that proposals have progressed on how best to proceed with the development of Inverclyde’s key leisure sites. “However it should be remembered that these are long-term plans for which external funding sources will need to be identified. The Council will consider funding proposals as part of the budget-setting process during February 2009.”