Bids are now being invited from contractors for the £25m National Performance Centre for Sport (NCPS) at the Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Heriot-Watt was named the home of NCPS in September 2013 by the Scottish government following a lengthy bidding process.

It is hoped a contractor will be named by the summer, with construction due to start later this year. The centre is expected to be fully operational by 2016.

The Centre will offer an indoor full sized 3G football pitch with seating for 500, a full sized Hampden grass pitch with seating for 500, a synthetic 3G pitch, two goalkeeper training areas with floodlights, two grass rugby pitches, five grass football pitches and three outdoor tennis courts.

Indoor facilities include a nine court sports hall, a 100 station fitness suite, hydrotherapy, strength and conditioning and treatment areas, office accommodation for governing bodies and also incorporate the existing facilities at the University's Centre for Sport and Exercise. -

The NPCS is backed by £25m from the Scottish Government and £2.5m from each of Heriot-Watt University and the City of Edinburgh Council.