Wales rugby team’s training HQ to be turned into 290-bed hospital to help virus fight
THE Wales rugby team’s Vale of Glamorgan training headquarters are being turned into a field hospital to aid the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
It will be sited at the Welsh Rugby Union’s National Centre of Excellence at Hensol, just outside Cardiff, and will provide 290 beds.
The move follows the WRU having already handed over the Principality Stadium in Cardiff city centre for use as a hospital.
News of the takeover of the Welsh side’s training base in a further move to battle the pandemic was revealed last Tuesday.
“We are very grateful to everyone who has supported the response to the challenge of Covid-19.
“The response continues to be amazing,” said Dr
Sharon Hopkins, chief executive of Cwm Taf Morgannwg Board.
“The WRU and Leekes have kindly let us use their facilities, which is greatly welcomed as rapid work takes place to increase available staff, beds and equipment.
“The support of the military and local authorities is just so vital in transforming the spaces and making the changes happen.
“The field hospitals will be vitally important in providing care to patients and communities in the coming weeks and months.
“It is an inspiring example of organisations working collaboratively to provide urgent new environments to respond to Covid-19.”
Stephen Leeke, managing director of the Vale Resort where the WRU have their state of the art training facilities, said: “As a proud Welsh business, and key player in the local community, we are really keen to step up to the plate and do what we can to assist during this time of national crisis.
“This has included working with the WRU to allow 290 additional beds to be set up in our indoor training arena.
“Everybody, from businesses to individuals, has a responsibility to play their part in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.”