POSTIES Park sports hub is set to cost the council at least £500,000 more than initially planned.

Funding of £1.7 million for the state-of-the-art project was approved by the council in 2017.

However, a contract award notice published on Public Contracts Scotland shows the minimum value of the contract, which has been presented to Greenock-based firm WH Kirkwood, to be at £2.2 million.

According to the notice, the figure could rise to just shy of £3 million when the project is complete.

The council was unable to narrow down how much the final figure would be.

Labour group leader councillor Martin Rooney said: “Postie’s park was one of the previous Labour administration’s strategic sports projects.

“We’ve had requests to provide modern athletics facilities for the past ten years or so and we committed to committing funding towards this.

“This is a fantastic development which will provide much needed athletics and football facilities for the area.

“It’s also a great opportunity for a modern gym facility to replace the Marinecraft facility.”

Speaking about the proposed increase in costs to complete the regeneration project, Cllr Rooney added: “It’s disappointing that the estimated cost of £2.2m has now ballooned to £3m but the most important thing is that we get the high quality facilities for now and for future generations.

“Unfortunately, the Councils first act will be to look at cutting costs which could affect the quality of the community facilities. We should be looking at the long term sustainability and building community sports facilities that stand the test of time”

A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “Tenders for the proposed work came back over the planned budget and we are currently working to bring the project back in line with original forecasted spend.

“Once complete, this development will create a purpose-build sports facility including a six lane all-weather athletics track and new gym, with benefits for the whole community.”

When complete, the park would be completely redeveloped to include changing rooms, a running track and sports pitches.

The current Marine Craft gym on the eastern tip of the site, near the grounds of Levengrove Park, would also be replaced.

A note on the contract said: “The project will consist of the construction of a new changing facility that will be used for the athletics and football, the construction of a replacement facility for the Marine Craft gym and a six lane all-weather athletics track.”