Sports pitch refurbished

18 December 2023

A sports pitch in north Powys has been refurbished thanks to a £150,000 grant from the Welsh Government, it has been announced.

Bookings are now being taken for sport groups to use the refurbished Red Gra pitch at Caereinion Leisure Centre in Llanfair Caereinion, which is operated in partnership with Powys County Council by the not-for-profit leisure trust, Freedom Leisure.

Work to refurbish the pitch, including improved floodlighting scheme, drainage works and perimeter fencing, was completed in October. The main works were carried out by Tarmac while PJ Martin from Llandrindod Wells were sub-contracted to carry out the groundworks.

The works were carried out after Powys County Council successfully received a £150,000 Community Focussed Schools Capital Grant from the Welsh Government.

The pitch will be suitable for football, hockey and a wide variety of outdoor sports for the school, sporting groups and communities in and around the Llanfair Caereinion area to use.

The improved facility is an ideal surface during the winter months when grass fields and pitches become muddy and unusable.

This project is part of a programme to improve facilities across the county to provide positive benefits to the health and well-being to the communities of Powys.

Cllr David Selby, Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: "I'm delighted that this work has been completed and I'm sure that the school and the sporting communities in this area will welcome the refurbishment of this well-used facility.

"This project demonstrates our commitment to provide good-quality, inclusive and fully accessible leisure facilities for communities in Powys. I would like to thank the Welsh Government for providing the grant and making the refurbishment of this pitch possible.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: "One of the aims in the recently updated Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys is to improve the learner entitlement and experience.

"The refurbished pitch, which will enhance the facilities at the centre, will help the council meet this aim. Not only will members of the community benefit from this improved pitch, but it will also provide an all-weather surface to help learners improve and enhance their sporting prowess and their wellbeing."

Richard Milne, Area Manager in North Powys for Freedom Leisure, said: "It's fantastic to see this investment in the facilities at Caereinion Leisure Centre and we look forward to welcoming the local community to use the brand-new pitch for many years to come.  We can accommodate a wide range of sports for single or block bookings and would encourage those wanting to give it a go to contact the centre on 01938 810634 or caereinion@freedom-leisure.co.uk."

Huw Lloyd Jones, Headteacher of Ysgol Bro Caereinion, said: "As a school, we are all delighted at the refurbishment of our red gra pitch. Our students are using the pitch in PE lessons, at lunchtimes and in after-school clubs. I am aware the resurfaced pitch is in high demand from local clubs which is excellent news for the community."

For clubs and organisations wishing to enquire further about the pitch or make a booking please contact caereinion@freedom-leisure.co.uk or call Caereinion Leisure Centre on 01938 810634.