THE starting pistol is set to sound on new sports facilities at Abingdon's Tilsley Park in the spring.

A 3G artificial rugby and football pitch and a floodlit throwing area at the Dunmore Road leisure centre will be finished by the start of April.

The new surface could be available from the first week of the month – the throwing area for events such as javelin, discus and hammer will be opened a fortnight later.

Abingdon School took over the management of Tilsley Park for Vale of White Horse District Council on a 125-year lease last September.

Estates manager Martin McKenna said: "The 3G pitch is due to be finished the first week in April, but this is weather dependent.

"The pitch can be used from that week subject to snagging and testing work.

"The new throw area should be complete for the start of April but will not be used until the new grass surface has stabilised and been allowed to take hold, which could be the middle to end of April subject to the weather."

The artificial pitch can be rented by sports clubs by contacting Tilsley Park.

Two of Oxfordshire's elite sides have already taken advantage of the new facility.

Oxford Rugby League, who play in Kingstone Press League 1, and American football side Oxford Saints, who ply their trade in Division 2 of the Southern Football Conference West, will call the venue their new home.

Athletics clubs who use the centre had feared for their futures amid the proposal to build the artificial pitch, replacing the throwing area.

However, the new floodlit area for the throwing events offered them a lifeline.

Abingdon Athletics Club used the facility for training from 6.45pm-8pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Chairman Nicholas Hamilton, who attends monthly meetings with the school, predicts a positive future and sees no clash of interest between the different sports.

He said: "Track running is an important part of what Tilsley Park does and it is a great facility.

"We have been given a clear guarantee the running will be monitored and, indeed, in the same ways where opportunities do arise, to extend that to Saturday and Sunday.

"These guarantees seem firmly in place."

Mr Hamilton said track events have been able to continue as normal during the works.

A temporary throwing area has also been set up for junior athletes, but competitive senior members have been training elsewhere.

He added: "If the throwing area was there they would be using it, but we have not had any reports of any major impacts."