WALES manager Chris Coleman will be officially re-opening Jenner Park this week, celebrating the installation of the stadium's new 3G playing surface.

The new 3G pitch is now ready for use at the Barry stadium and on Thursday (November 26) the Vale of Glamorgan Council will be hosting a mini-football tournament on the new playing surface with 16 local primary school teams taking part.

Welsh national team manager Chris Coleman will be kicking off the tournament as guest of honour.

Councillor Gwyn John , Cabinet Member for Visible Services and Leisure, said: “We are delighted that Chris Coleman is able to join us for what will be a momentous event in Jenner Park’s proud history. The support of the FAW has been instrumental in bringing this project to completion so quickly.

“The new Jenner Park will be a stadium open to all and our plan is for as much community use in the future as possible. This is why first matches played on the surface were as part a Vale of Glamorgan under 6s mini football festival and why a primary schools tournament will be providing the backdrop for the official opening.”

Work on the new playing surface - the result of a £350,000 investment by the Council - began in August and was completed last month. The new surface has received FIFA’s highest level of accreditation, FIFA Pro.

The new pitch at Jenner Park is central to the Vale of Glamorgan Council's plan to not only make the stadium financially viable but also to get more people in the area interested in playing sports. It will also allow Barry Town United FC and other teams who use the ground to avoid the water logging problems that have dogged the pitch during for the last few winters.

The new pitch has already seen action at levels ranging from mini-football to Barry Town United FC’s home games in the Welsh Football League Division 1.

The pitch is also available for private hire and local clubs and organisations who may wish to use this new facility can contact the Vale of Glamorgan Council on 01446 709371.