New 3G sports pitch for school and community use in Penywaun
Pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun will be able to enjoy a new 3G sports pitch after the Easter holiday – representing the 12th outdoor ‘all-weather’ facility to be opened by the Council through #RCTinvest.
Works got underway in Penywaun at the end of October 2018 – and pupils will be able to benefit from the new facility from the start of the school summer term, which starts on Monday, April 29.
The Council’s contractor South Wales Sports Grounds will continue to carry out works to the area immediately surrounding the sports pitch ahead of the facility being brought into wider community use from Friday, May 10.
The scheme is the latest to contribute to the Council’s ambitious aim to provide residents with a 3G pitch within three miles of their home, no matter where they live in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The 13th pitch is currently under construction in Beddau – complete with an athletics track around its perimeter – and will be completed shortly.
Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “I’m delighted that yet another one of our schools will benefit from a 3G sports pitch, with this project at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun delivered on schedule and in time for the 2019 summer term.
“This scheme in Penywaun follows completed 3G pitches attached to our schools in Church Village, Tonypandy, Tonyrefail, Pontyclun, Ferndale, Aberdare and Porth – while a 3G sports pitch and athletics track will also be delivered at Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School in Beddau very shortly.
“Many of these outdoor leisure facilities are attached to our 21st Century Schools developments, which continue to give young people the very best opportunities in their education. The 3G pitch schemes are ensuring our pupils are getting state-of-the-art facilities both inside and outside of the classroom.”
“It was great to visit the new 3G facility in Penywaun on Wednesday, to see the finishing touches being made to the scheme. Pupils will be able to enjoy the facility from Monday – while public bookings will be accepted from May 10.
“This is the 12th outdoor 3G pitch to be delivered in Rhondda Cynon Taf, while the Council recently opened the County Borough’s first indoor 3G pitch at Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre in Tylorstown – which has IRB accreditation for full-contact rugby training. These facilities show the Council is delivering upon the commitment made to local sports clubs in improving our leisure offer.
“3G pitches have a number of advantages compared to grass pitches as, with regular maintenance, they don’t deteriorate, can be used in all-weather and enable local sports clubs to continue their training and fixture schedules during the winter period.”
