An artificial turf pitch at the Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre in Dorchester, Dorset, is to be transformed into a new 3G facility after the local authority secured funding from the Football Foundation.

West Dorset District Council (WDDC) has been handed a £124,400 grant to help fund the scheme, which aims to help launch a three-year programme to promote football in the local area. WDDC and Dorset County Council (DCC) have contributed a further £109,000 towards the new pitch, which will boast nets to divide the facility into three smaller pitches and could also be used by Dorchester Town Football Club.

The resurfacing of the artificial pitch also forms part of a wider £8m development at Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre, which will include a 25m, six-lane swimming pool, a learner pool, spectator seating, a 60-station fitness suite and a 30-person dance studio. Molly Rennie, chair of the Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre management committee, said: "Improving this [football] facility will be a huge asset to the proposed new development."

WDDC is contributing £4.725m towards the cost of the facility, as well as £1.575m from DCC, £700,000 from the Duchy of Cornwall, £300,000 from Thomas Hardye School and £500,000 from the government's free swimming initiative. It is hoped the new facilities will be ready to open in February 2011 before the centre's existing facilities - including a sports hall - undergo refurbishment.