PORT pupils are celebrating a new sports facility and adventure play area at their school as part of a £300,000 cash boost.

St Francis’ Primary was the first Inverclyde primary school to undergo refurbishment more than 10 years ago — and it is now benefiting from a multi-use games area (MUGA), outdoor play area, ampitheatre and improved car park.

Youngsters have been getting off their marks to use the new sports pitch, which can accommodate football, netball, basketball and other games.

Head teacher Anne Marie Mullan said: “We are delighted to see all of the school grounds improvements. The children have been very positive about the new outdoor learning area — although they call it the adventure playground — and the staff love the new car park.

“The new MUGA has allowed the children to play more sports at playtime and lunchtime and they are having a great time.

“This will enhance their outdoor learning experience and enable them to develop a range of physical skills.” St Francis’ in Port Glasgow was modernised in 2004 however the project did not include extending and reconfiguring the car park and pedestrian access.

These jobs have now been carried out, alongside additional landscaping in the school grounds.

Earlier this year the council’s education committee approved a £240,000 contract for external works at the school, which have now been completed along with the new £60,000 MUGA.

Councillor James McColgan, education committee vice convener, said: “We have included St Francis’ in our programme to install new multi-use games areas in primary schools across Inverclyde to give children a safe, modern place to play sports and games.

“These are state of the art and underline our commitment to encouraging healthy living and developing social skills.

“The investment in the landscaping works and the new play area completes the process begun in 2004 and I am delighted parents, pupils and staff will now enjoy the benefits.” Pupils gave the new facilities the thumbs up.

Shannah Robertson, eight, said: “We played basketball on it at playtime and I like it, the play area is the best.” Inverclyde Council has invested over £600,000 to install new multi-use games areas at seven primary schools — St Francis’, St Ninian’s, St Joseph’s, King’s Oak, St Mary’s, St Michael’s and Inverkip.

New MUGAs are also incorporated in the £5.9m refurbishment of Ardgowan Primary in Greenock, the £2.8m refurbishment of St John’s Primary in Port Glasgow and the planned £4.2 refurbishment of Kilmacolm Primary.

Council bosses are also looking into the possibility of investing a further £400,000 to upgrade grass pitches at Moorfoot and Gourock primary schools.