Grant funding for a new £150,000 3G sports pitch has been confirmed, allowing construction to begin on the new Holyhead facility.

There have been long been calls for a new training facility in the town amid complaints about the state of existing artificial grass surface at Millbank  – particularly during bad weather.

With the condition of Millbank described as “embarassing,”, the sheer volume of complaints prompted meetings between town and county council chiefs, who jointly proposed a new facility for the existing park on Ffordd Garreglwyd.

After planning permission was given unanimous approval in February, it has now been announced that a bid for £135,000 of Wales Collaborative Sports Facilities Group has been successful.

According to the clerk of Holyhead town council, work is set to start later this year.

“The new 3G sports pitch at Holyhead Park will provide a much-needed boost to local facilities and I’m sure children and young people are eager to see it open,” said Robert Henderson.

“I’d like to thank the Wales Collaborative Sports Facilities Group for its generous financial support and Anglesey Council’s Leisure Service for working with us to deliver what will be a fantastic new sporting facility for the town.”

As part of the plans, Holyhead Town Council will relocate the existing tennis courts with a feasibility study also looking at the creation of a new car park.

The Pavilion café will also undergo renovation works and more outside seating will also be added to the park.

It will also be able to accommodate rugby training thanks to a special shock pads under the surface.

The on-site floodlights and fencing will also be upgraded as part of the plans, which are designed as a full replacement of the existing Millbank pitch on the Holyhead High School campus.

Anglesey Council Chief Executive, Annwen Morgan, added, “Despite the severe impact of Coronavirus, our officers have worked hard to come up with a feasible and cost effective project. We’ve done this in partnership with Holyhead Town Council and I’m extremely grateful to its staff and members for their support.

“We promised to replace the old Millbank facility which is no longer fit for purpose and have worked with Holyhead Town Council to deliver a great new community resource.”

The facility at Holyhead Park will be available to local schools during the day and sporting groups during evenings and weekends.

The Wales Collaborative Sports Facilities Group includes the Football Association of Wales, Welsh Rugby Union, Hockey Wales and Sport Wales.

Having earlier held a public consultation over the plans, over 90% of the 339 responses had welcomed the idea of a 3G pitch being developed at the site.

According to the planning application, which was approved in February, the state of the Millbank facility has led to “significant disruption for junior and senior football teams” despite some maintenance efforts, with “ever growing calls for a replacement” after nearly 2,000 people signed an online petition.