Schools in the money (From Barry And District News)

Schools in the money

BARRY schools are all set to benefit from a massive grant hand-out to improve sports facilities across the town.

Cadoxton Primary will get the lion's share, banking nearly 800,000 to build a state-of-the-art sports hall in their grounds.

The cash has been secured from the Big Lottery Fund's New Opportunities for PE and Sport programme after the Vale of Glamorgan Council put in three bids for schools around the county - all of which were successful.

Headmaster in Cadoxton Primary Chris Myers said: "We are delighted that we can use this facility for the school. It will mean we will be able to offer more sporting activities. We will no longer have to use the tarmac playing area for so many activities. It will also mean the surrounding community will have use of the sport hall."

Staff and pupils at the school will have the use of a large new sports hall that will measure 26m by 17m.

The three-court sports hall will include male and female changing rooms with showering areas as well as disabled facilities and extra parking spaces.

Almost 4,800 pupils from neighbouring schools will benefit from the sports hall, which will house activities including football, PE, cricket, table tennis, dance, basketball and badminton.

A governor of the school and Vale of Glamorgan Councillor Fred Johnson said: "Parents and teachers alike are delighted at the news. It will mean a great deal to the school but also to the local community. It means there will be a focal point for young people."

Cllr Jeffrey James, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, welcomed the news of the successful funding applications for Cowbridge schools Ysgol Iolo Morgannwg and Y Bont Faen Primary as well. This means the grants for the Vale of Glamorgan top the 950,000 mark.