'Health, Wealth and Quality of Life through Recreation and Sport'
The Recreation and Sport section currently sits within the Customer Community Services section and is headed by the Director for Customer Community Services. There are some 60 people employed within the section. A number of casual staff are also utilised on a regular basis.
The current facility provision consists of the main sports centre at Rhydycar, (dry). The Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Community Centre (wet and dry). The Gwaunfarren and Edwardsville swimming pools. Four smaller community centres at Dowlais, Gurnos, Treharris and Trelewis and an All Weather facility at Blaen Dowlais. The Sports Development Unit, which is an integral part of the section, is currently based at the Civic Centre
Achievements during 2003/2004
- Developed a strategy for Recreation & Sport.
- Communicated the Councils Vision to all staff.
- Implemented the Corporate Induction Policy.
- Full implementation of Child Protection Policy.
- Revalidation of Investors in People (IiP)
- Revalidation of Approved Training Centre (ATC) status for the delivery of lifeguard training programmes and the assessment thereof.
- Renewal of all current lifeguard qualification to the National Pool Lifeguard standard.
- Developed a database for accident/incident recording and monitoring for the section.
- Participated in the Welsh Assembly Governments (WAG) ‘Free Swim Initiative’.
- Participated in the SCW Leisure Centre Challenge Initiative
- Completed of the ICI Rifle Field Project.
- Commenced the refurbishment to the Aberfan & Merthyr Vale Community Centre (CIP).
- Commenced works to the Blaen Dowlais/Cae Mari Dwn project.
- Continued to work towards compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
- Extended the summer Play scheme provision to 21 sites throughout the borough.
- Installed a new computerised till/booking system at the Rhydycar Centre.