Sports clubs in the east of the city are set to benefit from a significant investment in local facilities following the launch of a state-of-the-art, all-weather football pitch in Llanrumney today.
A new 3G pitch has been installed at Better Eastern Leisure Centre and will be a real boost to local teams and groups providing a place to play or train regardless of the weather.
The project was identified by local ward members and delivered via the Council’s Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme programme in partnership with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), the charitable social enterprise that operates leisure centres in the city.
Three new lighting columns have also been installed along the pathway between the pitch and Newport Road to ensure safe access to the pitch in the evenings and during winter months when places to train are at a premium,along with new litter bins and benches.
The pitch will be managed by Better Eastern Leisure Centre and local clubs can make use of around eight hours a week of free-use slots while the rest of the time will be chargeable.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said:
“Our Neighbourhood Renewal Schemes programme delivers regeneration projects all over the city ranging from new parks, street improvements to better community facilities.
“This was a previously under-used and rundown area so I’m delighted that we’ve delivered such a fantastic facility and a real asset for local people here.”
Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said:
“We’ve been working closely with GLL to develop this modern, floodlit 3G pitch in the community to complement existing amenities in the area.
“In parts of the city already benefitting from new 3G pitches, such as Pentwyn, Grangetown and Ely/Caerau, local schools and clubs have welcomed the facilities which promote skill development and help grow young talent in the area. We’re confident that this improved provision will be the catalyst for increasing participation in sport and physical activity in the area.”
Tony Smith, General Manager Better Cardiff Eastern, said:
“As a community enterprise, we are committed to encouraging and enabling everyone to become more physically active and enjoy the benefits of having first class facilities in our city such as this one. We are continuing to invest in our sporting facilities to give people the best opportunities possible to take part in sport.
“This new pitch will hopefully encourage new people to take part in physical activity, but also get people who’ve played football and stopped to take it up again. Bookings are going well and we expect the pitch to be fully booked in the Autumn.”
Matthew Woodward , a construction worker from Llanrumney, was the first person to book the pitch for ‘Woody’s FC’ and they have become regular users.
Matthew said:
“We love the pitch and think it is an excellent addition to the sporting facilities in the east of the city. Our team will meet regularly there to play football.”
