By Gareth James
Sport Wales has welcomed the announcement of an additional investment of £4.5m from the Welsh Government to support the improvement and development of sport and leisure facilities in the length and breadth of Wales.
The umbrella governing body believe the additional investment will contribute to the ambition for every person in Wales to have access to a range of high-quality facilities where they can take part in sport and physical activity.
It will make improvements, and support development across a multitude of facilities including multisport venues, cycling tracks, indoor venues, running tracks, swimming pools, and 3G pitches, among others.
Brian Davies, Sport Wales acting chief executive, said: “Without available facilities, there is no way that we can achieve our aim of giving every person in Wales the opportunity to be physically active, which is why we’re delighted to have received this additional funding from Welsh Government.
“All of the investment has been earmarked following an expression of interest process that took place at the end of last year, which demonstrated a need for the additional money and has allowed us to identify priority projects.
“We’ve worked with the sector to ensure a geographical spread and that a range of sports and activities are to be supported. Careful consideration has also been given in attempting to ensure that the investment will benefit those communities who need it most.
“All of the projects that will be supported need to progress towards completion by the end of this financial year, so it won’t be long before the Welsh public start seeing the benefits of the allocation.”
Of the £4.5m, £1.2m will be allocated to collaborative artificial pitch projects between hockey, football and rugby, creating several new 3G and Astroturf pitches across Wales.
A total of £1.5m has been earmarked to individual capital projects from multiple sports identified across the country.
A further £1.3m is to be allocated to the Football Association of Wales as part of an agreed governmental support package to make much needed upgrades to grassroots football and multisport facilities across Wales.
The final £0.5m will support the enhancement of an exciting BMX project in the heart of Cardiff City.
Welsh communities have also been reminded that the BeActive Wales Fund and Place for Sport Crowdfunder also remain open for applications from community sport clubs and organisations to support individual improvements and developments.
