Cabinet proposes only £500,000 improvements for Clydach Vale athletics track

Cabinet Members will propose a £500,000 investment to deliver significant improvements to the King George V athletics track in Clydach Vale – which will be considered by Full Council in March 2019.

At their meeting on February 14, Cabinet agreed to propose a £170m Capital Programme over the next three years, in order to deliver further significant investment for key priorities through #RCTinvest. A report to Cabinet identified £13.1m funding for identified schemes – including a significant investment for the current athletics facility in Clydach Vale, to be delivered during 2019/20.

The announcement follows the Council’s commitment, made in July 2018, to upgrade the King George V track. The project, if agreed, would continue the Council’s provision of significantly improved athletics facilities across the County Borough.

In October 2018, the state-of-the-art Ron Jones Stadium delivered athletics facilities for Aberdare, while an athletics track is currently being built around the perimeter of a new 3G sports pitch for school and community use in Beddau. This project is on course for completion in Spring 2019.

The proposed scheme for the King George V athletics track is being designed in consultation with local athletics clubs. It would see the existing track resurfaced, while the field event areas would be enhanced. The scheme would also deliver drainage improvements to the existing football pitch.

 “The Council has previously committed to investing in significantly improved athletics facilities for Clydach Vale, which will follow the opening of the Ron Jones Stadium in Aberdare during October 2018 – and the new athletics track in Beddau which is on course for completion in Spring 2019.

“Through #RCTinvest, the Council is delivering outdoor leisure facilities across Rhondda Cynon Taf, following its commitment to local clubs to improve the provision. This has seen 11 all-weather 3G pitches delivered and two more under construction, while our first indoor 3G pitch – with IRB accreditation for full-contact rugby – is open at Rhondda Fach Sports Centre.

“We have had excellent feedback from users of the new Ron Jones Stadium in Aberdare, and I’m also looking forward to the new facility in Beddau being delivered ahead of the 2019 athletics season. The additional £500,000 funding for Clydach Vale in 2019/20 would ensure first-class athletics facilities are available in the Rhondda, Cynon and Taf areas of the County Borough.”