Councils’ deal sees site earmarked for new £120k 3G pitch:
ASITE has been earmarked for a new £120,000 3G sports pitch after a deal was reached between the county and town councils.
There have been long-standing calls in Holyhead for a new allweather football pitch, with the existing artificial surface at Millbank described as “embarrassing” and “not fit for purpose” after being dogged by severe water-logging and poor surface quality.
But a much improved replacement looks to be closer than ever after Anglesey Council and Holyhead Town Council reached agreement over a new partnership, earmarking Holyhead Park to house a new £120,000 training pitch.
Now planning to hold a public consultation ahead of sourcing grant funding, it’s hoped that the surface would be suitable for rugby training as well as football, thanks to a special shock pad under the 3G surface, with showers, extra toilets and a new car park planned.
While floodlights and fencing already exist at the park, these would also be upgraded as the existing tennis courts are redeveloped and the tennis facility moved elsewhere.
Anglesey Council’s Chief Executive Annwen Morgan said: “Last year, we said that replacing the old Millbank facility was high on our agenda.
“We tried a short-term fix, but it was clear that greater investment and a new site was needed.
“Despite the severe impact of Coronavirus, our officers have been working hard behind the scenes to come up with a feasible and cost effective project.
“We’ve done this in partnership with Holyhead Town Council and I’m extremely grateful to its staff and members for their support to date.”
If these proposals are approved, the facility at Holyhead Park would be available to local schools during the day and sporting groups during evenings and weekends.
Elsewhere on the island there is a £200,000 full-sized 3G pitch at Plas Arthur in Llangefni and an £80,000 “mini” 3G surface at Canolfan David Hughes, Menai Bridge.
Mrs Morgan added that the pitch would be suitable for training but would not be a full-sized pitch, promising to work with the community to realise such a facility in future.
“We hope, however, that they will welcome our proposals for Holyhead Park and support them as a step in the right direction.
“This facility would provide a valuable, and reliable, all-weather sporting facility for school pupils, local sporting clubs and the wider community.”
Holyhead Park was handed over to the town council in 2017 after previously being in the ownership of Anglesey Council.
The town’s mayor, Cllr Alan Williams, said: “This facility would provide a much-needed boost to the facilities in the town of Holyhead and for our children and young people.
“We’re pleased to be able to work with the county council to bring this 3G training facility to the town’s main park.
“As a town council, we have also agreed that part of the process will include a public consolation for the people of the town to give their views on the proposed development.
“We will be bringing residents more news and updates on this development as we have them.”