Update On Tonyrefail School And Leisure Centre Works
Work is progressing well on the £44m investment in state-of-the-art education and improved leisure facilities in Tonyrefail, as part of the Council’s £85m 21st Century School Programme for Rhondda and Tonyrefail.
The huge investment, supported by the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme, will see Tonyrefail Comprehensive and Tonyrefail Primary become a 3-19 school on the current Comprehensive School site.
Pupils will learn in first-class facilities, which will be built adjacent to the Grade II listed building with state-of-the-art modern glass walkways linking the new build with the remodelled Victorian building.
Alongside this, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tonyrefail will relocate on the site of the current primary school, which is being refurbished and redecorated. Pupils will benefit from the new facilities at both schools from September 2018.
Meanwhile, Tonyrefail Leisure Centre is undergoing a major revamp to provide new facilities. Upgrades include new parking facilities and an all-weather 3G sports pitch at Tyn-y-bryn Park. Purpose-built classrooms are also being built at the Centre, so pupils’ Physical Education classes can be held on-site.
New 3-19 Tonyrefail School update
Works are making rapid progress on the school buildings. Extensive earthworks on the former rugby field have been undertaken for the new secondary school teaching block, to reduce levels, and foundation piling is in progress.
The Key Stage 1 and Key 2 primary phase of the building project is making good progress with the foundations currently being worked on.
The Listed Building refurbishment is making excellent progress and work has begun on applying new internal finishes. A sample room has been created to set the internal standard for the school and for CADW to view the quality finish.
A planning application for the primary school has been submitted, and is expected to be presented to the Council’s Planning Committee in early April 2017.
Work is progressing on all areas of the site, which has also seen a site entrance formed for the use of contractors, while the existing school entrance has been reconfigured along with access to the reception.
Tonyrefail Leisure Centre and 3G Sports pitch update
Works are progressing well at the Leisure Centre. Internally, walls have been constructed to form the new gym, as well as the two on-site classrooms. Progress has been made on electric and plumbing work. Internal works are on course to be completed by the end of May 2017.
Externally, the rear car park is currently being formed, while off-site drainage for the 3G pitch is now complete. The site will be stripped by the end of March, so the base layers of the new sports pitch can be formed. The 3G pitch is expected to be completed by the end of June 2017.
Disruption is being kept to a minimum for the duration of the works, with fitness equipment being moved to the main hall so customers can continue to enjoy gym and fitness classes.
Councillor Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education & Lifelong Learning and local ward member, added: “It is a very exciting time for education in Tonyrefail with the provision of multi-million pound facilities, and seeing the building progress which is being made really adds to it.
“The massive funding from the Council’s 21st Century Schools Programme for Tonyrefail and Rhondda, which is being matched by Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Programme, will transform education for our young people.”
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Culture, said:“Positive progress is being made on the works at Tonyrefail Leisure Centre, to deliver significant improvements for the benefit of the local community, sports clubs and pupils.
“Visible progress has been made in the works for the new gym and the on-site classrooms, while the development of the new 3G pitch is progressing well.
“The Council is committed to improving leisure facilities across the County Borough – and people in Tonyrefail will be able to use their new facilities in the next few months.”
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