The target date for the transformation of sports and activities at a recreation ground has been announced after a pause in works due to 'unexpected hurdles'.

Social enterprise Courtside, which is behind The Coffee Shed and Premier Tennis, is creating a multi-activity hub on The Leys at the heart of Witney.

By May The Coffee Shed and old toilet block had both been demolished and the site had been cleared ready for further works to begin.

However, the works were then paused due to "some unexpected hurdles since demolishing the old pavilion".

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These required the design team to modify some of the groundwork and foundation design.

Courtside said it had "faced a few challenges relating to the drainage scheme with associated groundworks, stabilised groundworks and cost control".

Works have now restarted with a target completion date set for November.

Football has continued at The Leys without disruption and Courtside has maintained a temporary pathway for the safety of park users.

The splash park reopened in May following installation of the new drainage pipes and Courtside has been getting to know the users of the new wheeled sports park which opened in March.

Courtside was responding to enquiries from residents to Witney Town Council about delays to the regeneration work and apparent lack of activity at the site.

Jeff Hunter, CEO of Courtside, said: "We have been working tirelessly behind the scenes with our architect, structural engineer and building contractor to complete these critical amendments."

He said Courtside will then "work at pace" to get the new multi-activity hub open as soon as possible.

They added: "While this pause is disappointing, we are committed to delivering a project that befits The Leys and its surrounding, welcoming people of all ages for many years to come.

"We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who continues to support us by playing tennis or mini golf and buying refreshments from the temporary café.

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"Our thanks also go to the Witney Town Council staff team and councillors for their continued assistance."

This project is being funded by a £649,000 grant from the Community Ownership Fund, which is managed by the Department for Levelling Up to help community organisations take ownership of local assets and amenities.

This was matched by contributions by landowner Witney Town Council and Courtside as leaseholder.

The town council is contributing £250,000, plus a further sum that had already been set aside for the regeneration of the skate park.