THE FA Cup may have brought the curtain down on the football season on Saturday but one group of youngsters still had a special match of the day of their own to look forward to.
Gowerton Primary School hosted a football match between the school community, staff, parents and Interserve – the developers behind their multi-million pound new school.
As part of the school project nearby, under-used tennis courts at the Elba leisure facilities have been transformed into a hi-tech, multi-sports 3G pitch suitable for training for people or all ages and matches for younger children too.
It all came about because the Council worked with developers to ensure the new school project included elements which also bring community benefits.
The new 3G multi-sports pitch is already up and running and bringing benefits to the community even though pupils are not due to move into the school building until January 2016.
Cllr Jen Raynor, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “It’s great that the new sports area is already in use because it demonstrates our commitment as a council to maximise the benefits of multi-million school investments by working with contractors to improve community facilities too.
“The project is also bringing benefits to the community, including the upgrading of a play area which has been given new equipment and an improved surface.
“The football match is a way of highlighting that and bringing the school, the community and Interserve together in a fun event for all.”
Gowerton Primary School was established in 2010 following the amalgamation of the Tregywr Infant and Tregwyr Junior schools. The school is currently located on three sites and when pupils move into their new school next year it’ll be the first time they’ve been educated on one site, all with access to 21st century facilities and green space just outside their classrooms.
Cllr Raynor said: “Despite the financial challenges facing the council, we are committed to investing as much as possible in education. We’ve already committed more than £30m on new school facilities at Gowerton, Cwmbwrla and Morriston and they’re proof of the council’s determination to show education is a top priority for us.”
Susie Ralph, Gowerton Head Teacher, said: “Pupils at Gowerton are very excited to see their new school taking shape. It now seems very real.
“The football match on June 5 was the first of many fun days and sports events the school and community will be able to enjoy in the years ahead.”
Updates on the project are being provided through newsletters. They’re also being posted on the Council website at: http://www.swansea.gov.uk/newgowertonbuild
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