The Leckwith Vision | Airdome Installation Begins
The regeneration of Leckwith continues...
Work has begun to install a state-of-the-art Airdome at the Cardiff International Sports Campus in a bid to provide all-year-round sports facilities for the region.
It is part of the ongoing development and regeneration of the site that has seen continued investment from Tan Sri Vincent Tan, Steve Borley, Cardiff City House of Sport, Cardiff & Vale College and the Welsh Government.
WHAT IS AN AIRDOME & WHY THE INVESTMENT?
Similar to those situated at Chelsea and Ajax, the £650,000 air dome enclosure will be built over an artificial pitch, installed just last year, and will offer enhanced indoor training for sports teams and individuals during the winter months. The biggest benefit will be delivered to grass roots sports at junior level who will be able to train and play under cover of this impressive structure.
After taking ownership of the facilities at Leckwith in April 2016, the long-term partnership between Cardiff and Vale College and Cardiff City House of Sport has already seen significant investment made into improving and diversifying the existing facilities to provide the community with state-of-the-art sport surfaces. This latest addition, which has received a £325,000 grant from the Welsh Government, will provide an additional boost.
THE LECKWITH FOOTPRINT
The original Cardiff International Sport Stadium facility opened back in 2009, in line with the opening of Leckwith Retail Park and our Cardiff City Stadium home. A 5,000-seater stand was created at that time to support athletics and local grassroots involvement, as well as professional athletes. Cardiff City’s Academy squads have been using the facilities for U16 & U18 home matches for five seasons to date.
A wave of new development began in 2015 - including the installation of two artificial FIFA and IRB standard football and rugby 3G pitches - with its intended completion date set to be met this autumn.
Ken Choo, Executive Director & CEO of Cardiff City FC and Director of Cardiff City House of Sport, spoke to cardiffcityfc.co.uk about the latest stage of development.
“Tan Sri Vincent Tan’s vision for a number of years has been to see sustained development in Cardiff and Wales that will allow young people in the area opportunities that they didn’t previously have," Ken began.
"We have some special weather in Cardiff at times - and Tan Sri Vincent feels this shouldn't hold our youngsters back in keeping fit, healthy and pursuing their individual goals. This is why the latest phase of the Leckwith development particularly appeals to him, creating as it does a full-size indoor multi-purpose surface that can be used throughout the year.
"On behalf of Tan Sri Vincent, I’d like to thank Steve Borley, Joanna Borley-Parker, Cardiff & Vale College and the Welsh Government. We’ll continue to work with our partners for the benefit of our area and community."
Mark Roberts, Chief Operating Officer at Cardiff and Vale College, said: “This state-of-the-art airdome is typical of the facilities you would usually see at elite training grounds across Europe and we’re delighted that the Welsh Government has supported us to bring something of this standard to Cardiff.
"Our partnership with Cardiff City House of Sport has already reaped great benefits for Cardiff and Vale College, providing a home for our sport provision, and this additional facility will allow for activity to continue during the worst of weather."
Joanna Borley Parker, Director of Cardiff City House of Sport, said: “We are delighted to invest alongside Cardiff and Vale College to deliver on our promise to upgrade the sports facilities to and create new exciting sports developments for elite and community based sports.
"We have proven that private and public partnerships are essential to create a sustainable model. We wish to thank the vision of Welsh Government in also backing the project alongside Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Steve Borley."
