Penydarren BGC to install 3G pitch at Bont Playing Fields

Ardal League side Penydarren BGC have announced new plans for a synthetic 3G surface at their home of the Bont Playing Fields in Merthyr Tydfil

The new full-size 3G pitch would replace a current grass surface and would be able to host all the club’s fixtures from the junior and mini’s section, right through to the senior teams, as well as renting the facility out to the rest of the community to use.

The current pavilion would also be extended and refurbished with new changing rooms and new floodlights being installed under the plans.

Penydarren BGC’s first team has been playing its home games at The Bont Playing Fields since the early 1990’s and are ready to embark on a new era after originally starting off playing competitive football in the Merthyr Tydfil League on a coal surface, before it being transitioned into a modern-day grass surface in the late 1990’s.

A club statement read: “Penydarren Boys and Girls Club are pleased to announce that we have finally secured the funding for a 3G facility with floodlights at The Bont Playing Fields.

“The club are extremely excited and are looking forward to the new pitch conversion which will take place quite soon.

“We have been assisted by Ffos y Fran, the Welsh Government and Dawn Bowden to achieve this success and would like to express our gratitude to them.

“The club would like to thank all its hard working volunteers for their time and dedication in achieving this funding. We are now in the process of seeking further funding which would provide additional changing rooms and offer a quick turn over during usage when the facility becomes available.

“This project will provide the club with the opportunity to expand and also offer further benefits to the wider community as we introduce additional activities to support health and wellbeing. These are extremely exciting times ahead for us all. “

Local Welsh Assembly member Dawn Bowden, who helped the club pursue the project added: “Having first had discussions with Penydarren BGC over three years ago about this, I am absolutely delighted to see that they have now secured £250,000 from Welsh Government Communities Facilities fund towards the cost of replacing the grass pitch with a 3G artificial playing surface, floodlights, and additional changing rooms.

“This will make a real difference to the club in the months and years ahead.”

(Featured image: Same Old Smith Photography / John Smith)