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Friday
14  February

Architects submit community sports club plans

 
04/02/2025 @ 12:36
Plans for a new community sports facility to bring together several of the town's key clubs have been submitted to Powys County Council.
 
Newtown-based Hughes Architects, acting on behalf of its client Drenewydd Actif Newtown, has submitted plans to demolish the current changing rooms at the Recreation Ground off Pool Road and replace it with a new multi-purpose sports centre with extra changing room, a gym, and multi-use space.
 
Drenewydd Actif Newtown, is made up of Newtown rugby, cricket, and tennis clubs, as well as a local personal fitness instructor and weightlifter.
 
Richard Lewis, Director and Architect at Newtown-based Hughes Architects, said: "This is a major step forward for Drenewydd Active Newtown. They have been working for several years on this important project and we're pleased to have worked with them on it.
 
"The new multi-purpose sports building will bring a much needed and modern facility for the clubs and others involved."
 
He added: "We have worked closely with them to ensure the new building more than meets the requirements of the clubs, individuals, and community as a whole.:
 
 
A statement by Drenewydd Actif Newtown, said: "In recent years the clubs have been held back in their ambition to attract a more diverse range of players by the outdated 1970’s changing facilities, which only have communal showers and changing rooms – there’s minimal provision for mixed gender teams and none at all for those with accessibility needs. Also, the referee changing room does not provide separate spaces for male and female referees, who have to share changing and showering facilities.
 
"To address these issues, we plan to replace the outdated building with a new, inclusive and accessible, purpose built facility."
 
The project will update the changing rooms, include a double height gym, deliver Olympic weightlifting and personal training for disadvantaged young people.
 
The upper floor will be served by an accessible lift and will provide a large flexible open plan space for indoor sports and social activities. It will have a moveable partition so that it can be broken down into smaller areas as required.
 
The upper floor will meet the activity needs of the current clubs. It will have capacity for indoor cricket nets, softball and wheelchair tennis. It will also have a rugby training area that can be used in all weathers.
 
A Drenewydd Actif Newtown statement said: "Clubs will no longer have to travel out of the area to access these facilities. The upper floor will also be available for the whole community. It will provide an inclusive centre for sporting and social activities. It will offer benefits for mental and physical wellbeing.
 
"A survey carried out in April 2023 has shown that there is considerable local interest in and support for the project, with many suggestions for potential activities ranging from Pilates and yoga to archery and bowls, or simply knit and natter."
 
The plans will go before Powys County Council's planning committee in February.