Community Asset Transfer Programme helps to fund improvements to South Pavilion at Newbridge Fields

Bridgend County Borough Council is delighted to support local sports clubs like Bridgend Athletic RFC by helping them secure crucial funding through the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Programme, which will be used to fund the final phase of improvements to the South Pavilion at Newbridge Fields.

The council’s CAT Programme enables community groups to take on the management of assets and services so that they can be developed sustainably for future generations.

The latest works are estimated to cost £27,000 and will be completed in time for start of the new season.

The planned improvements include new flooring, benches and redecoration throughout the pavilion, which is used as changing rooms for local teams who play at Newbridge fields.

The council has already undertaken substantial refurbishments to the South Pavilion which includes the exterior cladding replaced, the building re-wired, new boiler and sanitary ware installed.

Adrian Burt, Club Secretary for Bridgend Athletic RFC, said: “The council have been supportive in helping us with the Community Asset Transfer and it’s very pleasing that we now have improvements to both the interior and exterior of the building. For the first time in many years, we now have a pavilion that is fit for purpose, and we will no longer have to apologise to our visitors.”

The council is upgrading its sports facilities at Newbridge Fields having already undertaken a roof replacement at the Bandstand Pavilion and substantial improvements to the exterior of the South Pavilion and replaced the mechanical and electrical systems.

The work currently being undertaken by Bridgend Athletic RFC will ensure that these facilities can continue to be modernised. It is particularly pleasing that the South Pavilion will have unisex and disabled toilet facilities that will allow these amenities to be more widely used in the future.

Councillor John Spanswick, Cabinet Member for Communities