Upgrades to start on local sports facilities

Residents of Aberfan will see fencing and equipment start to arrive on the Grove Fields car park from Monday. This is ahead of exciting redevelopment work on the existing astroturf that has been out of commission for a number of years.

Whilst the site will remain the same size, supported by council funding ring fenced against Aberfan and a Sport Wales Capital grant, it will be resurfaced as a new 3G facility equipped with a shock pad. This will further support our local sports teams alongside the recently opened full size 3G at Afon Taf High School.

The work will take place this side of Christmas, with the plan for it to open early in the New Year. This does mean that part of the car park will be out of use while the work is undertaken, and we kindly ask residents to be mindful of this.

In further exciting news, at the same time as the Aberfan development the full-size Astroturf site at Cyfarthfa High School will also undergo a redevelopment, thanks to funding from the Sport Wales pitch collaboration fund.  This site will remain as Astroturf to support Hockey and other sports that can’t use 3G but will be an improved and modernised surface. Again, the work will take place this side of Christmas, with a view to being ready early in the New Year.

Active Merthyr Tydfil, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s Sport Development Department, secured the funding for both sites, worth over £550,000, and are currently engaging with local clubs to develop a usage plan prior to their reopenings.

Councillor Jamie Scriven, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Leisure & Tourism, said: “We are delighted to see two further sports facilities get much needed upgrades to support our fantastic local sports teams. 

“These redevelopments follow on closely from the opening of the brand new Skate Park and Afon Taf 3G facility and is part of MTCBC’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of our residents.”