THREE West Dunbartonshire primary schools are to have 3G pitches redeveloped or upgraded at a cost of almost £750,000.

Last Wednesday the council’s tendering committee unanimously approved the contract, which will see 3G pitches installed at St Patrick’s Primary School in Dumbarton, Levendale Primary School in Alexandria, and Carleith Primary School in Clydebank.

Procurement officer Claire McGlynn told councillors: “The contract shall be for a period of 26 weeks and at a value of £734,214.

“The purpose of the tender was to appoint a suitably experienced and qualified contractor to supply and build the 3G pitches at the three schools.”

The budget of £450,000 for the redevelopment and upgrade of the 3G pitches at Levendale and St Patrick’s was approved at the full council meeting in February last year. The budget of £200,000 for the pitch at Carleith Primary is from the recurring building upgrades budget.

Ms McGlynn added: “Projects within this recurring budget are prioritised over a rolling three-year period, and funding for the pitch at Carleith Primary was allocated in 2017/18.”

Seven contractors bid for the council work and last week the three-strong committee of councillors, Ian Dickson and Diane Docherty and Provost William Hendrie, awarded the contract to Allsports Construction and Maintenance Limited of Dalkeith.

The value of the contract is £84,214 above the value approved by the council.

It was also announced there will be an opening ceremony for each pitch.

Stephen West, strategic lead resources for WDC, said in his report to councillors: “The redevelopment and upgrade of the three 3G pitches will contribute to delivery of the council strategic priorities through providing efficient and effective frontline services that improve the everyday lives of residents by improving the fitness and wellbeing of the pupils and promoting exercise and healthy living within the schools.”

The decision by the tendering committee is expected to be rubber-stamped at the next full council meeting.