New competition-standard, state of the art facilities will be delivered by construction experts Pick Everard and built nearby to the University’s Pontypridd Campus in Rhydyfelin.

An internal full-size 4G playing surface - the only full-size pitch of its kind in Wales - will be a key feature of the University’s new facility, meeting the approved standards required for football and rugby. The Sports Park will also house a strength and conditioning laboratory with 12 stations, modern teaching facilities, offices, and an observation/viewing gallery overlooking pitches.

Pick Everard, which has an office in Cardiff, is delivering project and cost management services on the scheme.

Mike Petersen, Director at Pick Everard, said: “Delivering first class facilities in the higher education sector is key to nurturing tomorrow’s sports men and women. This project will provide first class facilities for users and enable the University to excel and lead in its field. We are delighted to be working with the University of South Wales and look forward to delivering this project.”

Work began on the new sports park in mid-2016. Pick Everard was appointed to the scheme through the Scape Project Management and Quantity Surveying framework, which has since been superseded by the Scape Built Environment Consultancy Services framework. During site investigations, extensive historic mine workings were discovered within the site at Rhydyfelin. 

Rob Cleaver, Regional Director at Pick Everard, added: “The discovery of historic mines did threaten to cause a major delay to the project due to the need for extensive investigations and significant additional groundworks to make it suitable for construction works to begin. We minimised delays to the project that this discovery presented by securing the site and distributing arising earthworks while designs for the new building were still being developed. By re-programming the works, we ensured teaching areas could be occupied in time for the new academic year. Our team in Wales and the South West has considerable experience and expertise in higher education, and combined with our recent appointments by Cardiff University, Swansea University, and the University of Worcester for work on their higher education estates, this project signals a growing momentum in the sector for the firm.”

Work on the new Sports Park is expected to complete in November 2017.