New Sports Centre of Excellence at Coleg y Cymoedd honoured with national award for helping local students and aspiring pro athletes

Coleg y Cymoedd’s Sports Centre of Excellence at Nantgarw has been awarded ‘Project of the Year’ at the 7th edition of Education Buildings Wales Awards in partnership with the Welsh Government. The awards celebrate the best in design, delivery and management of educational buildings in Wales.

The Sports Centre of Excellence, which opened in 2023, is a state-of-the-art facility that provides learners at Coleg y Cymoedd with the opportunity to develop their skills and abilities in a variety of sports, as well as access to academic teaching and support.

The result of a multi-million-pound-investment, the centre includes a sports hall, a fully equipped gym classroom facilities, all following the best practices of performance and sustainability.

The centre was delivered by a collaborative team of Mott MacDonald, Austin-Smith:Lord and Kier Group, who worked closely with the college and the local community to create a landmark building that enhances the learning environment and the well-being of the users.

Also aiming to lower the college’s carbon footprint, the two-storey building was designed with innovative features like solar panels, rain gardens, wind catchers, and electric vehicle charging points, to encourage natural ventilation and energy efficiency.

Speaking at Education Buildings Wales 2024, Lynne Neagle MS Cabinet Secretary for Education, Welsh Government, said: “The Welsh Government is leading the way in providing new and refurbished schools and colleges that are safe, inspiring and engaging for our learners and which will play a vital role in improving the lives of all learners.

 “Every one of you here today has a key role in this journey.” 

Director of Infrastructure at Coleg y Cymoedd, Glenn Black commented: “We are very proud of this achievement and would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of this project.

“The award recognises the college’s commitment to providing its learners with the best possible facilities and opportunities to pursue their sporting and academic goals. The Sports Centre of Excellence is not only a benefit for the college, but also for the wider community and the future of sport in Wales.”

Share!