Pitching in support for Welshpool 3G facility

As a raft of facility closures dominated the Welshpool headlines of late, there have been some encouraging signs that the town could be moving towards securing a major new sports facility in the future.

The loss of Salop Road playing fields (pictured), the library building, Armoury, Ann Holloway Day Care Centre and the Skate Park have all caused a backlash this past year, and the closure of the Flash outdoor pitch for the past 18 months due to health and safety has only compounded the frustration.

Planners will point to the fact that the town will benefit from a new state-of-the-art primary school on Salop Road, but nevertheless residents are still concerned that Welshpool is in danger of becoming a forgotten town, particularly when it comes to sport, despite a major upgrade of the high school’s sports facilities this year.

But there have been some promising messages coming through of late that work may be taking place behind the scenes for the town to secure a new 3G or 4G pitch facility that will go some way to replacing what has been lost.

Powys County Council was the first to publicly throw its weight behind a proposal to convert one of the town’s pitches, possibly the rugby club’s, into such a 3G facility, bringing Welshpool in line with other hub towns in Wales that have enjoyed one for years.

And, in another surprise development last week, ClwydAlyn, the housing association responsible for the £11.59million project to convert Neuadd Maldwyn into 66 homes for the elderly, also issued a press statement saying it too supports the development of a 3G pitch in the town.

Neither has elaborated on what that support is, but ClwydAlyn is benefiting from receiving the former council office building  - thought to be worth £660,000 - for free from Powys County Council as their part of the deal, raising hope that they may be looking to put something back into the community?

It is all speculation at the moment and such a facility could cost anything between £600,000-£1 million to construct, but here are the two key statements issued through the media to date that are giving residents reason to be optimistic.

Edward Hughes, Director of Care and Support, ClwydAlyn:

… “ClwydAlyn is committed to the town of Welshpool, where we already provide 215 family homes, and have recently provided support for the development of a 3G sports pitch that would service the wider community including younger people.”

Cllr Phyl Davies, Powys County Council portfolio holder for Education and Property: 

“I’m also aware that sport club leaders in Welshpool are exploring options to establish a 4G pitch within the town, which I fully support and, as a council, we will do what we can to support their efforts.”

We will watch this space…