Cabinet to discuss funding for new 3G sports pitches at two schools
Cabinet Members will discuss an investment of £650,000 to provide new all-weather 3G sports pitches at two secondary schools in the County Borough.
A report to Cabinet on October 26 sets out the Council’s position with regard to one-off resources available following a review of earmarked reserves. It recommends Cabinet agrees to a further investment in outdoor 3G pitches, at Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School and Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun.
The new sports pitches, which would also be available for use by sports clubs and the wider community, would each cost £475,000 and, if agreed by Cabinet on Thursday, would be funded by the new £650,000 investment plus a £300,000 contribution from the Council’s 2018/19 budget for Education.
Both Bryncelynnog Comprehensive and Ysgol Rhydywaun require additional outdoor sports pitches, and the new 3G pitches would cater for 21st Century teaching and learning needs at both schools. They would also provide a community resource which will improve the health and well-being of residents.
The new 3G pitches would represent the latest Council investment in outdoor, all-weather sports pitches. During March 2017, the Council announced that three new pitches would be built – one each in Rhondda, Cynon and Taff Ely.
Good progress continues to be made in delivering the new facilities at Abercynon Sports Centre, Garth Olwg Lifelong Learning Centre and Ferndale Community School – with all three projects to be completed in 2017/18.
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, said: “The Council is committed to providing outdoor, all-weather sports pitches across the County Borough, to improve the health and well-being of residents and to ensure sports teams can continue to play outdoors during periods of bad weather.
“Cabinet will consider an additional investment of £650,000, contributing to two new 3G pitches at Bryncelynnog and Rhydywaun schools. This follows recent investments, through the ongoing #RCTinvest programme, in Abercynon, Church Village and Ferndale.
“Residents are now enjoying new facilities at Pentre, Mountain Ash and Graig thanks to significant previous investment by the Council, which also part-funded the new 3G pitch at Sardis Road in Pontypridd. New 3G pitches have also been delivered as part of the wider 21st Century Schools projects in Tonyrefail and Tonypandy.
“These pitches – which deliver on a commitment made to sports clubs – are already making a huge difference to local sports players, who know they can continue to enjoy outdoor sports, whatever the weather.
“The Council is committed to providing the best 3G leisure facilities in more and more communities across the County Borough, providing more opportunities for residents to stay fit and healthy through exercise outdoors.”
