Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr. Philippa Marsden was joined by special guests to mark the official opening of the new community athletics hub at Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School in Oakdale.
The impressive site has been operational for a short period as both a school and community facility for countywide clubs and largescale competitions and events.
Continuing our successful partnership with Welsh Government, the facility has been installed by securing funding from the Welsh Government Community Hub Grant. The new synthetic athletics track will be the first of its kind in Caerphilly County Borough and will allow residents to train all year round on the high-quality durable surface.
The six-lane, 300 metre floodlit running track also boasts an additional area for off field athletic events such as long jump, high jump, shotput, and javelin. The area inside of the track will remain as a grassed area to allow for various sporting activities and events.
Cllr Ross Whiting Cabinet Member for Learning and Leisure commented: “The new facility will provide residents of Caerphilly with an indispensable facility that both current and future generations can utilise to either remain active or to further their development as aspiring athletes.”
“Caerphilly is currently one of only six local authorities in Wales without an athletics track – for this reason, this facility is integral to providing the resources for the next generation of athletic stars to be able to develop here within Caerphilly County Borough.”
James Williams, Chief Executive of Welsh Athletics said, “It’s long been an ambition for Caerphilly to have an athletics track and it’s fantastic to see this facility now open and providing the Rhymney Valley AC members and the community with a place to train and enjoy athletics. We’re counting down to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in July which we hope will inspire a new generation and hopefully this venue will be teeming with children and young people giving athletics a go over the summer.”
“Our ambition is for every local authority area in Wales to have a dedicated athletics facility, and for everyone to have access to local opportunities to train. We see great social return on investment from these facilities with people of all ages using them to train and boost their health and wellbeing.”
Olympian, Joe Brier said, “I’ve done lots of school visits since returning from the Tokyo Olympics, and I love seeing the enthusiasm of children when they have a go at athletics. It’s been great to see the children enjoying being here on the new Oakdale track today. Having local access to a track is so helpful for clubs and athletes, and hopefully this facility will inspire and support the next generation of young athletes along their journey.”
The Leader of Caerphilly County borough council, Cllr. Philippa Marsden said, “I always competed in athletics and cross-country races as a child in school. From the age of 11 to 16, I often competed in 800m, 1500m and the longer cross-country races.
The opening of an Athletics track in Caerphilly county provides an excellent opportunity for athletes of all abilities. This track will allow both adults and children with an interest in athletics, whether as serious athletes or as a means of keeping fit, to utilise a local facility without having to travel out of the borough.
The track in Oakdale will also provide the community with the opportunity to keep fit, stay active and maintain a healthy way of living. It is an excellent opportunity for both adults and children of all abilities to take part in athletics. This will also provide a great social hub for the people of the local community with a common interest in athletics and fitness”.
