£1m Welsh Government loan to update Parc Eirias facilities

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, has announced that Parc Eirias will benefit from the £5million Welsh Government loan scheme to update its facilities, which will include the addition of a new 3G pitch.
The announcement comes ahead of a Grand Slam deciding game for the Welsh U20s rugby team against Italy at the facility tonight.
Parc Eirias will receive a loan of almost £1 million to update its facilities with a new 3G rugby /football pitch, an artificial bowling green, a hydrotherapy pool, multi-purpose activity room and dedicated ATP hockey surface.
The Wales Collaborative Sports Facilities Group will also be providing £300,000 in funding. With almost £900,000 from Conwy County Borough Council, the total investment in the project will be £2.19million.
The Deputy Minister said: “We launched our Sports Facilities Capital Loan Scheme to help local authorities find new and exciting ways to encourage whole families to enjoy and take part in sporting activities in their area.
“We recognise that this is a challenging financial time for authorities and I am pleased we are supporting them to create the right facilities in the right places, breaking down barriers to sport so that people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds can enjoy its many benefits.”
The Welsh Government’s Sports Facilities Capital Loan Scheme was introduced on a pilot basis to provide local authorities with the opportunity to apply for an interest free loan to make them more inclusive, attractive and accessible and ensuring they meet the needs of the local area.
Councillor Graham Rees, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Marketing and Leisure, Conwy County Borough Council said: “We’re delighted that we’ve been able to secure this Sports Facilities Capital Loan to continue the development of Parc Eirias as a Regional Centre of Sporting Excellence; it will help us provide first class community facilities that will be available, and in excellent condition, all year round for local sports clubs.”
Parc Eirias has been a major catalyst for the growth of rugby in North, allowing key matches, such as tonight’s U20s Six Nation decider, to be hosted in the region. The addition of 3G pitches is expected to boost this development further.
Welsh Rugby Union Group Chief Executive Martyn Phillips said: “Eirias has become a centre of excellence for North Wales rugby in all senses of the word. As the home base for Wales U20 for the past five years, the facilities on and off the field and the outstanding staff have helped the side to flourish, culminating in a Grand Slam decider this weekend.
“Having invested heavily in an academy structure for north Wales, we believe the new 3G pitch and facilities will enable more youngsters from the area, such as Rhun Williams, one of the form players in the Wales Under 20 side, to reach their full potential within north Wales, through our regional performance pathway, and the additional facilities will allow a greater focus on women and girls.
“In addition, the new 3G pitch will provide an important training and playing facility for community rugby clubs in the area, along with the delivery of community coach and referee education.”