§ Mr. Ednyfed Hudson Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in connection with the provision of a National Sports Centre for Wales.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI am pleased to be able to say, as I announced in Cardiff last week, it is hoped that a start on the Centre will be made this summer. The Government, on the recommendation of the Sports Council, have agreed to make a capital grant of up to £600,000 in respect of building work fees and equipment to the Central Council of Physical Recreation which will build and administer the Centre on a site generously provided by Cardiff City Council. Local Authorities in Wales are being invited to contribute to the running costs and, pending an approach to them all, the Cardiff City Council and the Glamorgan County Council have together agreed to underwrite 50 per cent. of the estimated annual deficits up to a maximum liability of £10,000 to each Council. Tenders for the construction work are being invited this month and it is hoped that the Centre will be ready for use in the spring of 1971.
Most of the training and competition facilities in the Centre will be provided under one roof. They include the main sports hall, a smaller hall which can be partitioned into two units, a hall designed primarily for movement and dance, a swimming training pool, a gymnasium with a separate fitness training room, four squash courts, an indoor rifle range and two lecture rooms. In the same building will be residential accomodation for 60 students, refreshment and dining rooms, and a suite of offices and committee rooms for use by the C.C.P.R. and national governing bodies of sport. An outdoor all-weather training area with tennis and netball court completes the sports facilities.