Sports organisers in Welshpool have been left frustrated this week after half of the Flash astro turf was deemed ‘out of action’ leaving clubs scrambling for alternative venues to train and play.
The facility is Welshpool’s only outdoor ‘all weather’ pitch so it is in demand at this time of year, but clubs have been forced to seek alternative venues after Freedom Leisure, who manage the Flash, were forced to take action this week for health and safety reasons.
“The damage to the pitch was caused by flying debris due to the high winds that hit our area at the end of last week,” said a spokesperson for Freedom Leisure. “The pitch is due to be repaired ASAP, we are just awaiting a date from the contractors.
“Only half of the pitch is out of action, the other half is being used every evening.”
It has frustrated regular users of the facility who thought the days of pitch closures due to extreme weather were over when considerable renovation work on the surface was carried out last year.
And former Welshpool Town FC chairman Dean Gill believes it is time that Welshpool thought bigger than just cosmetic repairs.
“I find it incredible that places like Newtown, Aberystwyth and Bala have a 3G pitch and yet there is nothing here,” he said. “For what was spent last time on repairs and with extra funding they could have had a proper 3G pitch for a fraction of what has been spent inside the Flash to renovate. It is not just affecting football but rugby and hockey too.”
Last Saturday the ladies hockey team were forced to switch their league match to Newtown.
The Flash has gone through an incredible renovation since it was taken over by Freedom Leisure, with a £1.1 million modernisation programme transforming the interior facilities.
PICTURE: Not again! Our picture from November 2014 when the pitch was closed for safety reasons and went through an overhaul.