Swansea sports and leisure groups in line for council facilities boost

Swansea Council is set to offer sports clubs and other groups a new chance to build strong futures for them and their supporters.

The council’s ruling cabinet could next week approve the principle of transferring a number of facilities to not-for-profit local organisations. Some locations are already managed by the organisations.

Cabinet members say this would help enable investment, improvement and sustainability of the facilities. This, in turn, would help develop a more active and healthy city.

David Hopkins, joint deputy leader cabinet member for corporate service and performance, said: “Local groups often ask to lease some of our sport and leisure facilities

“By taking local control and managing the facilities themselves they can unlock investment.

“Communities benefit through increased social, economic or environmental wellbeing.”

Robert Francis-Davies, cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We’ve identified a number of sites and proposed leaseholders who could work with us and our community asset transfer policy.

“In due course, each application will require approval from a head of service and relevant cabinet members.”

The transfer policy has successfully facilitated a number of projects in recent years including the lease of Mumbles’ Underhill Park, enabling a multimillion-pound investment scheme.

Leases to Mumbles Community Council have facilitated a major new skatepark and investment in three Langland tennis courts.

The newly identified facilities and leaseholders – who would be asked to pay a peppercorn rent for a suitable lease – include:

Cricket and rugby pitches, Tir Canol, Morriston.

These could be offered on a long lease to Morriston Cricket Club and Morriston Rugby Club to continue to improve and maintain facilities for their two sports.

Boathouse/heritage centre and football pitches, Coed Gwilym Park, Clydach

These could be offered on a long lease to the Friends of Clydach Heritage Centre to continue to improve and maintain the facilities.

Pentyla Playing Fields – The Ganges, Townhill

This could be leased to Rosehill Community FC to allow them to invest in and improve the area for football and as a public green space.

Cricket and football pitches plus changing rooms, Ynystawe Park

A long lease for Ynystawe Cricket and Football Club would enable new investment and improvements of the pitch and facilities.

Mumbles Bowls Green and Pavilion

A long lease for Mumbles Community Council would help them continue to improve facilities and to formalise maintenance plans.

Ashlands/Banfields Playing Fields

A long lease for Port Tennant Colts FC would enable investment into the facility. They have successfully managed the facility for six years.

Part of Oystermouth Woodland, Mumbles

This could be leased to Mumbles Community Council, enabling infrastructure improvement. It was previously improved by Mumbles Development Trust.

Part of Clyne Gardens

A lease for Coedenfach Community Tree Nursery would allow the growing of native trees from local seeds using organic, peat-free methods, helping biodiversity.

Halfway Park Football Pitch and Changing Rooms, Winch Wen

Could be offered on a long lease to Brynawel AFC to enable investment in the pitch and make further improvements to the changing facilities.

All transfers will be subject to the council’s community asset transfer policy and may be subject to public consultation.

(All images: Swansea Council)