A STATE-OF-THE-ART indoor sports arena is headed to Penarth and Llandough, with the developers behind the ambitious project saying will "change the face of sports" in the area.

The Vale Sports Arena group - an organisation headed up by four businessmen and women from Penarth - were given the green light to begin work on their sporting vision for Penarth earlier this week when Vale planning officers granted permission for a change of use at the premises on Penarth Road.

What is currently a huge empty warehouse will soon be home to an indoor 3G pitch, gym, cafe, bar, analysis room, conference room and other facilities, with Welsh goalkeeping legend Neville Southall endorsing the vision

The Vale Sports Arena group says the facility will provide jobs and sporting opportunities for people across the Vale.

Vale Sports Arena director Catherine Sharp said: "This ground breaking news, we hope, will change the face of sport development in the area, providing all clubs across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan with the opportunity to train and develop in a fun and safe environment.

"This in turn will inspire a generation to get hooked on sport no matter what the ability."

 Former Everton keeper Southall said: "The arena will prove a wonderful asset for grassroots clubs to train and develop in a professional sporting arena" said the Everton legend. "As well as the playing side, coaches and the community can learn and develop in the various coach education courses on offer.

"I see the arena as the perfect tool to ensure we promote a healthier next generation and remove all barriers to increase participation in all sports."

The arena will also host various fitness classes ensuring more children, young people and adults can get involved in sport and physical activity, with the change of use from commercial purposes to sport and leisure.

Vale Sports Arena senior development officer Richard Smith added: "We hope the arena will prove to be a fantastic community facility, not just for clubs and organisations but also the wider community."

It is hoped that the arena will be open for public use by early summer but the conference area already set to host a string of celebrity appearances starting with Craig Bellamy on March 11, and Andrew Cole on April 29.
Share article

Paul Gascoigne is also scheduled to appear there on October 8.

 

Source : penarthtimes.co.uk

Report Abuse