Sports pitches nominated for top award

The hard work involved in restoring and improving the site of last year’s 2008 National Eisteddfod in Cardiff has resulted in a nomination for a prestigious national award.

Following the delivery of a successful Eisteddfod, Cardiff Council prepared an enhancement programme to improve and upgrade the site for future sport use.
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Both cricket wickers and football pitches were given revised layouts and separated to lessen the impact of heavy use and to improve the quality of the playing services.

In total eight cricket pitches and wickets have been completely rebuilt and upgraded. Four to County standard in Pontcanna, three refurbished wickets at Llandaff and one refurbished wicket and new outfield at Blackweir.

These pitches along with 12 new football pitches at Pontcanna have been nominated in ‘public sector outdoor facility of the year’ category of the Institute of Outdoor Grounds (IOG) Industry Awards. The awards will take place on October 15 at the Emirates Stadium in London, with the winners receiving their awards from former England rugby star Martin Bayfield.

Councillor Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Sport, Leisure & Culture, said: “The improvements made to Pontcanna Fields are going to be one of the long-term benefits the National Eisteddfod has brought to the city and this nomination is a worthy recognition of the hard work that has gone into improving and sustaining these sports pitches.

“The IOG only acknowledge the very highest standards in these awards and it is great to know that the football and crickets teams using these pitches and wickets are getting the future benefit of excellent quality surfaces to play on.”