A new sporting facility has just opened at the University of South Wales (USW) Sport Park, located near the University’s Pontypridd Campus in Treforest. The modern sporting facilities include the first full-size indoor 3G football pitch at a university in Wales and one out of three at a UK university.
The project and management services on the scheme were delivered by Pick Everard, the leading independent property, construction, and infrastructure consultancy, which completed it in January 2018.
“This brand new facility provides the very best in modern sporting facilities for the University and we are proud to have been involved in what is a very important project for USW,” said Mike Petersen, director at Pick Everard’s Cardiff office. “Pick Everard has extensive experience of delivering schemes within the higher education sector, so we understand the importance of high-quality facilities in attracting and retaining the very best students and staff to universities, and that is exactly what this new facility will promote at USW.”
The main attraction at the new facility is the indoor full-size 3G football pitch that meets both the FIFA standards for football and the World Rugby standards. Other features include a specialist centre for strength and conditioning with 12 lifting platforms, teaching rooms, changing rooms, and offices.
“As the largest provider of football coaching degrees in Europe, being partner with 30 Premier League and English Football League clubs; having plans in place to work closely with the WRU on providing coaching and development qualifications; students providing football coaching in the USA, and further plans to support community initiatives and elite sport teams; this first-class facility will further strengthen USW’s reputation as a leader in sports education,” commented Professor Julie Lydon, USW Vice-Chancellor.
Kier Construction built the facility and Atkins designed it.
Pick Everard is renowned in Wales as it works with many major organisations including blue chip organisations such as EDF Energy and National Grid, public sector bodies including South Wales Police, Cardiff, Swansea and Aberystwyth Universities, and contractors including Wilmott Dixon and Kier.
