Work on the synthetic surfaces will begin this week and will be completed by late spring.

The project will see two existing tennis courts and one five-a-side pitch converted to a seven-a-side 3G pitch. Two five-a-side pitches will be converted to two 2G tennis courts, with three five-a-side 3G pitches also replaced.

The shock pads and kickboards to the perimeter walls of all the pitches will be renewed.

Chief Executive of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC), Kay Morrison, said: “Hamilton Palace Sports Ground is a flagship facility for SLLC, offering a wide range of high-quality facilities.

“The work taking place is necessary and timely in order to support the future of football in the Hamilton area.

“The project will develop a facility with upgraded all weather floodlit surfaces which will provide enclosed, dedicated development space for football to meet the FIFA Quality Programme.

“The creation of an enclosed 7-a-side training pitch will bring the facility in line with current grassroots demand for training areas in the Hamilton area.

“By developing the facility, we will be able to better meet the needs and demands of the communities we serve as well as the clubs and partners who use it.

“The facility will support an improved school sport and events programme supported by our Active Schools team.”

The work is being carried out by Sportex Group, and the existing synthetic carpets will be recycled at their new recycling plant in Grangemouth.

This will prevent bulk waste being transferred to landfill, helping to meet South Lanarkshire Council’s sustainability objectives.

The plastic waste from the synthetic carpets can now be recycled into boards which can be used for landscaping projects and around artificial pitches to contain the rubber infill.

A metal grid has also been included within the design of this project which will increase the retention of the rubber infill within the pitches.