CHRISTMAS is about good news or bad news – at this time of year, it seems, there is no middle ground.

But today’s announcement of a newly-completed £2.1m community sports centre in Marston isn’t just good news – it’s great news.

Especially since a properly equipped community arena with a full-size artificial grass pitch, pavilion and six floodlit netball courts doesn’t just pop up overnight...

It has in fact taken two years of extensive planning, countless days and nights of fundraising and eight months of construction to put the finishing touches to what Oxford City chairman Brian Cox calls: “The finest facility in Oxford of its type.”

But that’s not all. As Mr Cox rightly points out: “It’s entirely there for the community so anyone who wants to do any sport can come along and it’s there for them.”

How refreshing is that? A genuine, 100 per cent, for anyone-and-everyone sports facility that also includes six dressing rooms, a treatment room and lounge area.

Based at the home of Oxford City Football Club, the new centre is a credit to everyone involved.