Running of Llangynwyd playing fields and pavilion to be handed over to grass-roots football club

Responsibility will instead be handed over to grassroots football club Llangynwyd Rangers Boys and Girls on a 35-year lease through a community asset transfer.

More than £217k will also be handed over to the football club as part of the deal, to go towards essential repairs and development of the pavilion, including refurbishment of changing facilities and creating new mini-pitches to cater for the club’s growing junior section.

The club is also looking at additional funding from the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and the Fit for Futures Facilities Programme for a £450k redevelopment of the site’s public open space.

Thanks to the funding, changing room facilities will be able to be reconfigured to better meet the needs of women and girls football in the area, club committee member and women’s team coach Laura Dean Poole said.

Ms Poole said: “Securing these funds will help to springboard ladies’ and girls’ football in the Llynfi Valley.

“The club proposes to create dedicated facilities that will enable our ladies and girls to play at home on a far more regular basis, and to create gender parity within the club.”

On a statement on the club’s website, Llangynwyd Rangers said: ““We are delighted to announce we have been granted the full CAT fund from Bridgend County Borough Council.

“The club will have significant investment for changing facilities and playing facilities. This development will allow the area to become a major part of the community, and Llynfi Valley.

“We look forward to working alongside the @FAWales as we continue on our journey of growth.

“A massive thanks to all our support along the way and everyone at @BridgendCBC @CoalfieldsRegen @GameOnWales @huw4ogmore @CPJElmore Llangynwyd Community council and many more.

“The future of this club is brighter than ever and we look forward to developing a facility in which we want our players to thrive in.

“The future is bright, it’s green and white!!”

Bridgend Council leader, Huw David said: “One of the big advantages of the community asset transfer process is that it enables clubs and other organisations to apply for funding which local authorities cannot access, so it is really good to see how the club’s ambitious plans for Llangynwyd playing fields includes more than £450,000 of additional investment.”

(Lead image: Llangynwyd Rangers)