Ammanford AstroTurf Closed Over Public Safety Concerns

A well-used AstroTurf in Ammanford has been closed by Carmarthenshire Council over public safety concerns, impacting hundreds of pupils and members of local sports teams.

The sports facility located at the rear of Ammanford Leisure Centre and Ysgol Dyffryn Aman has been closed by Carmarthenshire Council after individuals raised concerns of its condition. 

The AstroTurf was first installed in 1992/3, providing essential play opportunities for local sports teams during the winter months, yet the facility has deteriorated to the stage where it is argued a full replacement is needed. There are number of areas where the surface has damaged and a large portion of the facility has a thick covering of moss causing players to slip when playing. 

Local Councillors argue that the issue highlights the lack of maintenance for Amman Valley facilities and raises concerns that the closure will have a major impact on local sports teams and pupils of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman. 

Cllr Rob James, Carmarthenshire Labour Leader, stated “Having visited the AstroTurf and spoken with staff, I was shocked that such an important facility for the Amman Valley has neglected in this way.

“This AstroTurf has served the community for the last 30 years. However, it is clear that the Council are no longer maintaining the facility and frankly, it is time that we had a full replacement of the AstroTurf.

“You can see from this closure of the AstroTurf, lack of sports facilities in the Amman, not building new schools for Ammanford pupils and the state of Ammanford children’s park, this area is constantly being treated as the poor relation of Carmarthenshire by this Plaid Cymru administration. 

“We have written to Carmarthenshire Council to call for a full replacement of the AstroTurf with a maintenance budget attached immediately.”