South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) has announced the start of construction work on a £900,000 project to upgrade the Whitemoss Recreation Area in East Kilbride.

ERDC Group has been appointed to carry out the work, which will see the existing blaes playing field replaced with a full-size artificial football pitch, which will be capable of dividing into three seven-a-side pitches. Gerry Convery, chair of SLC's community resources committee, said: "This new £900,000 facility, fully funded by the council, will be a great facility for the people of East Kilbride and is another in the line of very successful third generation pitches throughout South Lanarkshire."

South Lanarkshire Leisure general manager Gerry Campbell added: "The investment in new facilities at East Kilbride continues to demonstrate the council's commitment to improve services and widen opportunities for residents to engage in healthy lifestyles through active participation." The pitch, which will be used by St Andrew's and St Bride's High School during the day and by the local community at night, is due to be completed and ready for use in November 2011.