Revamp of ‘Embarrassing’ Barry Leisure Centre Faces Funding Setback
A much-needed revamp of the changing facilities at Colcot Sports Centre in Barry, which have been labelled as “embarrassing,” has hit a roadblock due to a lack of funding. The project, spearheaded by the Vale of Glamorgan Council, aimed to address the deteriorating state of the existing facilities, following a public consultation that revealed a preference for refurbishment over replacement.
At a scrutiny committee meeting earlier this year, Councillor Belinda Loveluck-Edwards highlighted the challenges faced by parents and players, particularly in girls and women’s football, due to inadequate facilities. She recounted the struggles of navigating between Buttrills Playing Fields and the outdated changing rooms at Colcot Sports Centre, underlining the need for improved amenities to support the local sports community.
Vale of Glamorgan Council’s cabinet member for leisure, sport and wellbeing, Councillor Gwyn John, expressed disappointment over the delay in upgrading the facilities, emphasising the impact on girls and women’s football in Barry. He stressed the council’s commitment to providing quality sport facilities and acknowledged the inadequacy of the current changing rooms, which have been in use since 1963.
The proposed funding of £500,000, sought from Cymru Football Foundation, remains pending, with hopes pinned on securing the necessary resources to kickstart the much-needed refurbishment. However, a grant application to Sport Wales for a pump track at the sports centre was rejected for financial reasons, further complicating the funding landscape for the project.
Council leader Councillor Lis Burnett addressed the funding challenges at a recent cabinet meeting, acknowledging the complexities of piecing together funding from multiple sources for such schemes. Despite the setback, she assured continued efforts to explore alternative funding avenues to ensure the project’s viability and timely completion.
The unresolved funding issue has raised concerns about the future of football teams in Barry, with the looming prospect of inadequate changing facilities posing a significant hurdle for local sports enthusiasts. The urgency to address this infrastructure gap has been underscored by community leaders, urging swift action to safeguard the integrity of sports activities in the area.
As discussions around securing funding for the revamp of Colcot Sports Centre’s changing facilities continue, stakeholders remain hopeful for a positive outcome that will enhance the sports experience for players and families in Barry. The importance of investing in community sports infrastructure has been brought to the forefront, underscoring the need for collaborative efforts to overcome funding challenges and deliver long-term benefits for the local sports community.
In the face of the funding setback, the resolve to prioritise the well-being and development of sports facilities in Barry remains unwavering, with stakeholders rallying behind the vision of creating inclusive and modern amenities that will cater to the diverse sporting needs of the community. With perseverance and collective action, the revitalisation of Colcot Sports Centre’s changing facilities is poised to proceed, paving the way for a brighter future for grassroots sports in the region.