A new ‘all-weather’ 3G sports pitch at Porth Community School has been completed for the use of school pupils and the wider community – as part of significant 21st Century Schools investment in the area.
The new facility, which has replaced the old astroturf, is the 11th ‘all-weather’ surface to be installed by the Council, helping to fulfil a commitment to provide residents with a 3G surface within a three mile radius, no matter where they live in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
New 3G sports pitch completed at #Porth Community School, for school and community use. More information here: https://t.co/7OIp84aFVr pic.twitter.com/qolm68B8Fx
— RCT Council (@RCTCouncil) November 9, 2018
This follows the start of construction on the Council’s 12th and 13th 3G pitches – in Penywaun and Beddau – that commenced at the end of October 2018.
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Porth has recently benefitted from significant 21st Century Schools investment as part of £85m funding across Rhondda and Tonyrefail, jointly funded by the Welsh Government. It saw Porth Comprehensive, Llwyncelyn Infants’, Porth Infants’ and Porth Juniors become a 3-16 school at the comprehensive site – as Porth Community School opened its doors in September 2018.
The new school has received a brand new building with first-class 21st Century facilities – while its secondary school buildings were remodelled and redecorated. External improvements and landscaping was undertaken, while parking and traffic arrangements on site have been significantly improved.
The new 3G sports pitch was included as part of the wider development – to provide a modern, ‘all-weather’ surface. Pupils will benefit from the new facility in Physical Education lessons, while it is also available for hire by the wider community. The surface has a shock pad underlay to allow full-contact rugby.
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Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said:
“I was delighted to recently visit the brand new Porth Community School, which is benefitting from fantastic Education facilities in a new primary block and improved secondary building – giving our pupils the very best opportunities thanks to joint #RCTinvest and 21st Century Schools funding from the Welsh Government.
“The new 3G pitch has been constructed as part of the Porth development, and pupils will benefit from it during Physical Education lessons. Similar 3G pitches have also been installed in other communities benefitting from 21st Century Schools funding – including in Pontyclun, Tonyrefail, Tonypandy and Aberdare – while pupils in Church Village and Mountain Ash are also benefitting from new pitches nearby, within their local communities.
“The Council is continuing to deliver upon its commitment to improve outdoor leisure opportunities for pupils, and the new 3G facility in Porth follows closely from the new pitch for Ferndale Comprehensive. New schemes at Ysgol Rhydywaun in Penywaun and Bryncelynnog Comprehensive in Beddau have recently begun, and will be completed during Spring 2019.”
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services, added: “Porth has become the latest area in the County Borough to benefit from a new 3G sports pitch, which will be available for hire by members of the community. It follows the Council’s commitment to local sports clubs to further invest in outdoor leisure facilities, with 11 new 3G pitches now installed in recent years.
“Modern 3G pitches have many advantages over grass surfaces. They do not deteriorate and can be played on during all weather, so local clubs and individuals can continue with outdoor exercise throughout the winter. This will also help to ease fixture congestion for local sports leagues, by reducing the number of games which are postponed during long periods of bad weather.
“Alongside 3G pitches, the Council has also invested in the new £3m Ron Jones Stadium for Aberdare – which is a fantastic athletics facility. The Council is also including an athletics track around its new 3G pitch in Beddau, and has made a commitment to improve the existing track in Clydach Vale.”
