Projects who are set to benefit from part of an additional £4.5m investment into Welsh sport are being named.
The plans from across Wales that have been selected to receive this funding will help Sport Wales to achieve the ambition of providing access to a variety of high-quality sports facilities to every person in Wales.
Sports developments being supported include multisport venues, cycling tracks, indoor venues, running tracks, swimming pools, and 3G pitches, among others.
Following an expression of interest process that took place at the end of 2021, priority projects were identified. A panel from across the sport sector in Wales have agreed on the beneficiaries of this funding, ensuring a geographical spread and that different sports and activities are supported.
Brian Davies, Sport Wales Acting Chief Executive said; “We are thrilled, having secured this additional funding from Welsh Government, to be able to support these fantastic projects. The developments and facility enhancements will help the sector in its aim to provide the opportunity to be physically active to every person in Wales.
“Some of the projects that are being supported have already begun their developments and will be looking to complete as soon as possible, so it won’t be long before the communities of Wales start to see the benefits of the allocation.”
Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden said: “Investing in sporting facilities is a key commitment in our Programme for Government and is integral to our nation’s health and wellbeing as we recover from the pandemic.
“This funding reflects the value we continue to place on our sports facilities as environments that create inclusive opportunities for people to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of sport, and to unleash their sporting potential – and it’s excellent news that the funding is getting to these exciting projects so that communities across Wales can begin to take advantage of these facilities.”
Here are some of the projects that will benefit from this funding.
Bridgend Air-Hall
Bridgend Tennis Club have been granted funding to develop a double-court air hall. Sport Wales’ investment will go towards constructing a robust, double-skinned air-hall over the two new courts which have already been installed.
With no indoor facilities between Swansea and Cardiff and a county population of 150,000 people, Tennis Wales has targeted Bridgend as the ideal venue to have these fully accessible, covered courts.
Simon Johnson, CEO at Tennis Wales said: “Covered courts, such as the Bridgend Air-Hall, will allow the local people to play tennis all year round. Providing more facilities that can be used throughout the year will enable the sport to continue to grow and be financially sustainable.”
“We want to remove the barriers to participation, and for people to have a great range of tennis playing facilities in their local area
Ynys Môn 3G Pitch
Ynys Môn County Council alongside the Collaborative Sports Facilities Group will develop a 3G pitch in Amlwch through funding from Sport Wales.
The current facility has a floodlit 5-a-side court and multi-use games area which will be replaced by a much larger area with a new 3G carpet laid on top. This much-needed upgrade will modernise sports facilities in the rural community.
There would be the potential for a new 6-a-side league while the facility would also be developed to be suitable for rugby, too.
Anglesey County Council’s Head of Regulation and Economic Development, Christian Branch, said: “The new 3G pitch will provide local clubs, schools and the local community with access to a high-quality sports and training area all-year round, regardless of the weather.
“It will be double the size of the current pitch at the Leisure Centre and will have a special shock pad to ensure that rugby training can also take place.”
Basketball Wales Outdoor Project
Basketball Wales’ Outdoor project will receive funding to refurbish four courts in four different locations across Wales. Outdoor courts in Caernarfon, Flint, Langland and Aberystwyth will be resurfaced and have their hoops improved.
Also identified as part of the funding are six indoor courts located in rural communities. Additional side baskets will be installed to allow more younger children to get onto the courts.
The hoops will be adjustable which allows for progression or more success at lower level to keep children hooked on the sport.
Gavin Williamson, CEO of Basketball Wales said: “This funding will be used to improve current facilities by replacing baskets, repairing floor surfaces and adding court markings to help attract and retain players of all ages and abilities to the courts.
“We have seen a marked increase in the number of players that want to play outdoor 3x3 basketball across Wales, the introduction of this fast-paced form of the game at the Tokyo Olympics and the upcoming Commonwealth Games will only add to these numbers, so having facilities across Wales that inspire and allow players to play 3x3 basketball is very important.
BMX - Cardiff
A national standard BMX track will be developed in Cardiff through Sport Wales’ funding.
With BMX growing in popularity since it was first in the Olympics in 2012, Welsh Cycling has highlighted the need for a national track in Wales. This facility will now allow them to host national level competition and will provide riders in Wales with the opportunity to begin racing.
The development will be led by Cardiff BMX Racing Club alongside Welsh Cycling with the track being built in Llanrumney.
Welsh Cycling’s Chief Executive, Anne Adams-King said: “We are really excited to see the development of the BMX facility in Llanrummey. We have no doubt this will be a top-class BMX facility and will help develop and nurture the talent here in Wales.
“It will also open up opportunities to host elite level BMX events in the future, giving the Welsh public the chance to see the very best BMX riders in action”