Sports pavilions on the mend after unprecedented storm damage

Repairs are progressing well on five sports pavilions in Bridgend County Borough that remain closed for repairs following severe storm damage last month.

When the ‘Beast from the East’ and Storm Emma hit our shores in early March, plummeting temperatures caused pipes to freeze and burst, leading to extensive water damage at Cae Gof Bowls Pavilion, Cae Gof Sports Pavilion, Felindre Road Pavilion, Heol y Cyw Pavilion, Llangeinor Pavilion and Llangynwyd Pavilion.

Although the sports pitches at each site have remained playable, the pavilions suffered from damaged ceilings, waterlogged walls and flooded electrical fittings.

Thankfully, the pavilion in Llangeinor fared better than most and has since re-opened, while workers from the council’s Building Maintenance team are making every effort to dry out and refurbish the Felindre Road Pavilion in Pencoed and the Heol Y Cyw Pavilion so that they can be back in action in May.

The Llangynwyd playing fields pavilion on Maesteg Road should be dry enough to commence remedial works in May which will include plastering, ceiling works and painting. Various carpentry work is required and electrical fittings also need to be reinstated. The pavilion is estimated to be ready for use towards the end of July if everything goes to plan.

In Cefn Cribwr, similar works are required at both the Cae Gof Bowls Pavilion and the Cae Gof Sports Pavilion. A burst pipe in the attic of the sports pavilion flooded the two floors below, meaning that the ceilings, vinyl floor and floor boards all sustained significant damage. Both buildings are expected to re-open in July.

The Cae Gof rugby and football pitches are still available to use, while the bowls green will be available from the beginning of the bowls season.

The ‘Beast from the East’ certainly had some bite, with the severe weather causing unprecedented damage to a number of sports pavilions in the county borough in addition to several schools.

Staff are working hard to make these important facilities safe to use and back in action as soon as possible, and we’d like to thank sports teams and regular users of the pavilions for their understanding while these vital repairs are carried out. We will be issuing further updates as the repairs progress.

Councillor Richard Young, Cabinet Member for Communities