A POPULAR all-weather floodlit sports pitch in Wood Farm is having a £23,000 upgrade.

Oxford City Council is improving the Peat Moors all-weather sports area, next to the Bullingdon Community Centre in Wood Farm.

The area, which is regularly booked by football teams in the winter because it is floodlit, will be resurfaced with new lines painted and have its walls and fences renewed.

It is the culmination of £50,000 investment in the centre’s facilities. Over the past three years the centre has been redecorated and double glazing installed.

New insulation has been fitted and ceilings lowered to reduce heating bills.

The work was partly funded by contributions made by the developers of the former TA site in Mascall Avenue.

Richard Bryant, who chairs the Bullingdon Community Association which helps to run the recreation ground, said the pitch overhaul was much needed.

He added: “It has taken a long time, it hasn’t had any work of substance done on it for a good 10 or 15 years.

“A major part of the motivation was putting down a new soft surface.

“The local community are very enthusiastic and delighted it is being renovated and we hope this will improve the use.”

The park was installed in 1986 with money from the Sports Council and is operated by the Bullingdon Community Association in conjunction with the city council.

Sports played there include football, hockey, basketball and cricket.

Councillor Mark Lygo, board member for sports and parks, said: “Peat Moors multi-use games area is a well used facility that has, for some years, been showing its age and was in need of improvement.

“This refurbishment work will mean that there is a high quality facility available for the local community again.

“The new facility will also encourage people who have been inspired by some of the sports at the Olympic Games to use the facility.”

The recreation ground also had £50,000 spent on upgrading its two play areas in 2009, bringing the total for the past four years to just under £100,000.