THE groundwork has been started for a brand new state-of-the-art sports pavilion in Lydney's Bathurst Park.
The building will replace the vandal-hit Phelps Pavilion burnt down last year, and will eventually cater for all sports in the park area, said town clerk Jean Ramsden.
"We have a finish time of 20-25 weeks. Obviously this will be too late for the cricket season but it will be open by late summer," she added.
Mrs Ramsden said the council had been planning to replace the pavilion for several years but had been restricted by costs.
"From the outset we went for a building with more or less everything but we have had to go back to the drawing board three times to keep costs low enough for our budget."
Lydney Town Council says the new building will be a "super example of a modern building for the new millennium".
"It will give sufficient space to accommodate all users of the facilities within Bathurst Park including a light and airy refreshment area.
"The council are looking forward to being able to offer full sporting facilities for sports teams.
"Once again Lydney will have a splendid facility befitting what is acknowledged to be one of the finest parks in a small town in Southern England."