The South Reading Sports Centre has secured a £600,000 grant from the Barclays Spaces for Sports initiative, to enable the construction of new facilities and the refurbishment of the existing sports hall.

The funding will help enable the complete overhaul of the centre, which has deteriorated in recent years. The changing rooms and dance studio will also be refurbished and a fitness suite will be built.

In addition to the capital grant, a £5,000 donation for equipment and a £45,000 development fund is also being supplied by Barclays.

The grant will complement other funds being invested in the facility by John Madejski, the chair of Reading Football Club. The John Madejski Academy is based next door to the centre, and is putting £1m into the redevelopment.

Lynne Carter, director of sport at the John Madejski Academy, said: “This funding is part of a £1.9m project to develop the site and meet an identified demand for sporting and community activities in South Reading.

"The John Madejski Academy Trust is delighted to be working in partnership with Barclays, the Football Foundation, Reading FC and Reading Borough Council to begin delivery of this exciting project."