Pace Grasso Ground at Paola, formerly known as the Schreiber Sports Ground, is set to see four major projects taking shape in its space: a new secondary school to serve as a regional centre, a football ground, a car park for 300 vehicles and a health centre.

The details were revealed when Health Minister Joseph Cassar and Lands Minister Jason Azzopardi answered a number of supplementary parliamentary questions by Opposition MPs on Monday.

Dr Cassar told Noel Farrugia (PL) that all health centres were slated for refurbishing to a major or lesser degree while two of them – those at Paola and Gżira – were to be moved completely.

The Gżira health centre was being moved to the refurbished Zammit Clapp Hospital and the Paola one would eventually be moved to Pace Grasso in a totally new construction project. The major refurbishment of Mosta health centre had been earmarked for the winter months because statistics showed that its major influx of patients was in the summer.

The Birkirkara health centre would be taking over the duties of Rabat health centre while the latter was being refurbished.

Every refurbished health centre would then be in position to offer not only primary but also secondary health care.

When it was pointed out that the space at Pace Grasso had been originally scheduled to be turned into a secondary school, Dr Azzopardi said this now formed part of the overall plan to benefit the Paola community more extensively.

There would be a carpark for 300 vehicles, a football ground and a secondary school. The health centre would be constructed on the side of Mater Boni Consilii Street.