On your marks
How Aberdare’s £3m new athletics track is taking shape
CONSTRUCTION of a £3m athletics facility in Aberdare is making good progress and on course to be completed this year.
Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council knocked down the old Michael Sobell Sports Centre last year to make way for the new facility set to be finished by autumn.
The new athletics track will complete the council’s investment in the site, which has already seen the new Aberdare Community School, leisure centre, 3G pitch and skate park delivered – as part of a wider £67m investment.
A number of key milestones at the site, which will include a 263-seat spectator stand, have recently been completed.
The windows and roof of the changing rooms and spectator stand have been completed, while mechanical and electrical work has begun in the changing rooms. The grandstand has been fitted with high-level lighting.
RCT Council’s cabinet member for environment and leisure councillor Ann Crimmings said: “Works at the new athletics track in Aberdare are progressing very quickly.
“I’ve visited the site a number of times recently and it continues to evolve, with the two new buildings in the development – the changing rooms and grandstand – now largely in place.”
RCT Council said work to construct the running track have also progressed well, ahead of tarmac laying and construction of the track surface in May.
External landscaping and fencing works have also started, which includes a 3m perimeter fence around the site that is largely complete.
The council said that when it requested local employment figures for the scheme for a period in March, 44% of the workforce lived within 10 miles of the site, and 72% lived within 20 miles.