Athletic club take over pavilion and playing fields

PENCOED Athletic Boys and Girls Club have taken over the day-to-day management of the pavilion and playing fields at Woodlands Park, Pencoed, as part of Bridgend council’s Community Asset Transfer Programme.

It comes as Pencoed Town Council have also completed their asset transfer with the local authority, taking on responsibility for looking after the rugby and football pitches at Pencoed Recreation Ground in Felindre Road.

Last year, the town council took over the responsibility for the pavilion at the recreation ground with a £100,000 refurbishment taking place in partnership with Bridgend council.

In addition, the town council reinstated the cricket wicket at the site which has enabled a new cricket team to be established in the town.

The council’s cabinet member for communities, Cllr Stuart Baldwin said: “The community asset transfers taking place show how the council can work in partnership with sports clubs, and town and community councils to preserve and enhance valuable facilities for our communities.

“Over the last few years, Bridgend council has worked closely with Pencoed Town Council, having first transferred the former tennis courts at the recreation ground into their management, enabling them to be transformed into a skateboard park and a multi-use games area.

“At Woodlands Park, the Pencoed Athletic Boys and Girls Club have plans to refurbish the pavilion and improve the pitches with support from the local authority so that they can be safeguarded for future generations.

“We currently have expressions of interest from a range of community organisations for all relevant outdoor sports facilities and park pavilions and look forward to working closely with them as more asset transfers take place.”