Well, well, another day, another row with our valiant Vale Council as they once again make plans to slash one of our vital amenities – the Colcot Sports Centre.
A recent published proposal looks set to see the Colcot Amateur Boxing Club, the Barry School, a Welsh Language nursery, and our sand-filled hockey pitch all disappear under a pile of rubble.
The bulldozers would move meanly in knocking down their Colcot base to make way for more houses, and increase parking from 24 to an eye-watering 204.
Add that to the 140 houses being built on the old Barry College and you can’t help cross everything that our shaky roads can cope.
Imagine the chaos and congestion of treble the traffic along pot-holed Colcot Road – and all at snail’s pace too as we observe the recent 20mph rule.
Campaigners, who have already swung into social media action with a petition, protest and public meeting, concede that the newer sports centre at the Colcot site would remain.
There would also be the six “cages” which serve mini football.
I, along with them, also accept that the existing changing facilities at the Colcot Sports Centre site desperately needs a long-awaited up grade.
I don’t think the building has changed since my kids changed for football there back in the day.
And let’s be honest, if we can’t step up to support the increasing demand for women and girls football, we may as well shut up shop and start driving around on horses and carriages again.
Campaigners are now calling for alternative proposals, even though our local authority have yet to publish any finer details, or engage with the public – no change there then.
In my view, Colcot Sports Centre site needs a modern, fresh, feel that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of our up and coming town.
So come talk to us please Councillors.
I’m sure our resilient residents can come up with a perfect plan that’s not just houses and car park space
We look forward to hearing from you.
Speak soon.
Mrs SVJ
The Save our Colcot Sports Centre and Buttrills Field Petition can be signed here: Save Our Colcot Sports Centre and Buttrills Fields.
A Facebook group for those who would like to oppose these proposals or hear more public opinion can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1582782579185026/
The Council’s proposal for the changes to the Colcote and Buttrills sites can be found here: https://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/Documents/_Committee%20Reports/Cabinet/2024/24-02-22/Buttrills-Recreation-Sites.pdf
The recording of the Council Scrutiny meeting where this was discussed is here: https://www.youtube.com/live/VWQZGcfuM9M?si=vW5KoQgHppyFTgCi
More background on previous attempts in the long running battle to save Colcot Sports Centre can be found here: VOG Council: Make vital improvements needed to the Colcot Sports Centre
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Sue Vincent-Jones, blogging as Mrs SVJ, is a Barry born journalist, editor, and activist. She writes about Barry – and her life in the wider world, through the eyes of a, quirky and queer, local girl done good.
Written exclusively for the Vale’s newest newspaper, and digital platform, The Glamorgan Star, an abridged version as part of the ‘ Passing Comment’ series can be found here.
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