A brand-new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and upgraded 3G pitch at Tredegar Sports Centre has been officially opened today by the Welsh Minister Culture, Skills & Social Partnership, Jack Sargeant MS.
The upgraded community sports facility has been funded with a £80,069 Sport Wales Court Collaboration Grant with support from Welsh Government. Jack Sargeant MS cut the ribbon and, together with invited guests, got to see the facility in action with young people from the nearby Ysgol Gyfun Tredegar Comprehensive School.
The grant is a significant investment in grassroots sport and community wellbeing across Blaenau Gwent, which also includes solar panel installation improving the site’s sustainability.
Welsh Minister Culture, Skills & Social Partnership, Jack Sargeant MS, said:
"It’s great to officially open this new Multi Use Games Area at Tredegar Sports Centre. This latest investment complements others we’ve already made here in the 3G pitch and the energy saving projects, through Sport Wales.
"Our investments demonstrate our commitment to supporting grassroots sport, creating opportunities for people of all ages to be active in their local community, and making a contribution to building a healthier, cleaner and greener Wales for our future generations.
"We know how important access to quality sports facilities is for physical and mental wellbeing, and this project shows what can be achieved when government, local authorities and community partners work together.”
Councillor Helen Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities at Blaenau Gwent Council said:
“This fantastic new space will be a hub for community activity, sport and wellbeing. Thanks to Welsh Government and Sport Wales for supporting this investment in people and opportunities. We are proud to collaborate with Aneurin Leisure Trust, our valued local partner who we work closely with to help build healthier more active communities in Blaenau Gwent. Every solar panel that goes up is helping respond to the climate emergency, and its great to see the investment in solar power in this community facility.”
Tom Kivell, Interim Director, Aneurin Leisure Trust added:
“This investment gives local people, especially young people, access to high-quality facilities right on their doorstep. Keeping communities active is vital for health and wellbeing, and this project reflects our shared commitment to the Well-being of Future Generations Act."
Owen Hathaway, Sport Wales’ Assistant Director for Insight, Policy and Public Affairs said:
“Our last School Sport Survey in 2022 found that nearly half of children in Blaenau Gwent want more opportunities to play basketball, a third are keen to play more tennis, and a fifth want more chances to play netball.
“Because of this, we were thrilled to support this court collaboration project to help meet the local demand for more spaces where people can enjoy playing these three sports casually.
“Over the last six years, we’ve invested more than £725,000 of Welsh Government funding into Tredegar Sports Centre because it’s such a key facility for the local community. As well as the court collaboration work, our investment went towards the creation of the 3G pitch, the installation of solar panels and other measures which have helped to make the centre more energy efficient so that it is cheaper to run.”
Phill Sykes, Director of Operations, Aneurin Leisure Trust concluded:
"Aneurin Leisure Trust's mission is to Improve Community Life. I'm proud of everyone in the Trust who works so hard to achieve this and it's through additional funding that we can really improve our infrastructure and create amazing facilities for the local community to use."
* Aneurin Leisure Trust is a not-for-profit organisation committed to improving the leisure and learning facilities for the people of Blaenau Gwent. Everyone who works at the Trust is focused on supporting and improving community life. The Trust works closely with a wide range of partners including voluntary, statutory and third sector organisations to provide the best services possible across sport centres, libraries, Parc Bryn Bach, Bedwellty House and Park and adult community learning.
