CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating the announcement of a major upgrade for a popular sports complex in Yate.

Following a 12 month fundraising drive, Yate Outdoor Sports Complex (YOSC) is now all set for a full refurbishment.

The scheme, which will cost around £850,000, will start in July 2018 and take 10 to 12 weeks to complete.

Funding for the the long awaited works was approved at South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet meeting, and the award was made official this week.

"We’ve done it!" said a jubilant Chris Willmore, councillor and chairman of Yate Town Council YOSC Athletics Project.

"We now have the last bit of money in place to do up YOSC's athletics facilities.

The athletics facilities at YOSC are used by the area's schools - which amounts to hundreds of young people each week - and the centre also hosts national events.

The CEO of England Athletics, Chris Jones paid a visit to the complex last month, which is testament to the complex's profile nationally.

"The final piece of the funding jigsaw was put in place on Monday," said Cllr Willmore.

The extra cash has been allocated from Section 106 money, which is given to councils from developers, for social and community projects, to help make new home schemes more attractive to communities.

The project will see the replacement of all the athletics facilities, including a complete renewal of the track. There will be new additions too, including better provision for para-athletics.

"To our horror, when the estimates for the refurbishment came in they were for £850k," Cllr Willmore said.

"And so we’ve been working flat out to raise the cash needed to save the centre."

The athletics facilities at YOSC are used by the area's schools - which amounts to hundreds of local young people each week - and the centre also hosts national events.

The CEO of England Athletics, Chris Jones paid a visit to the complex last month, which is testament to the complex's profile nationally.

"For some events, such as run and shoot, it is the best facility in the country," said Cllr Willmore.

"But it is at the end of its life and needs completely replacing."

Jeremy Dale, Chairman of Yate and District Athletics Club, which co-runs YOSC with Yate Town Council, said: "I think it's brilliant.

"This will secure the future of YOSC.

"It puts us on the map and makes the complex more viable."

A final £50k is set to be raised through business sponsorship.

There will be opportunities for companies to name individual facilities and to have their banners displayed on site.

For the right sum the whole sports complex - including national facilities - could be named after the sponsor.

A sponsors' evening is taking place on November 6. For further information about this call Lori Ramsey at Yate Town Council 01454 866506.