A VANDALISED Botley pavilion is to become a community asset again with a major makeover.

The Louie Memorial Pavilion off Arnold’s Way was targeted by vandals two years ago and is now used by only one sports club, White Horse Abingdon FC.

But now the new Louie Memorial Pavilion Trust is to spend about £2,000 restoring and redecorating it to attract more users.

North Hinksey Parish Council last week gave £750 to help and also promised to pay for a service and repair of the boilers.

Vandals broke in to the pavilion and threw paint around and covered the walls in graffiti in April 2010.

Darren Blase, treasurer of the trust, said: “It is quite grotty and nothing has been done for a number of years.

“It’s full of cobwebs and it’s just been left.”

But he added: “It’s got a fantastic potential as a usable space for people in the community.”

It is hoped the makeover will be finished in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in June.

The building boasts a social room, a kitchen, changing rooms, toilets and showers, and the trust is hoping to pull in a variety of community groups.

Julia Hammett, chairman of the council’s recreation and amenities committee, said: “It needs sprucing up and we need to spend money to make sure it is safe to use.

“It needs a lick of paint and it needs a new lease of life.

“It is a bit unloved at the moment. And it hasn’t been used so there has been a shortfall in income.”

The building was built more than 30 years ago and is near the defunct Botley Bowl which was closed after an arson attack in 2009.

Emmett Casley, chairman of trustees, said: “We are looking to tidy it up and make the building appeal to small groups.

“With the damage to the skate park a lot of people just forgot it was available.”

A mural by Matthew Arnold School pupils painted in the summer of 2010 will be painted over but Mr Casley said another one could be eventually painted.

Trust member Debby Hallett said: “It has lost it’s mojo. But it could be a wonderful place for kids to use.”

Parish council chairman Neil Clark added: “Hopefully it will be more attractive and people will use it.”