BCBC’s Cabinet will be asked to approve a final payment from the £2million escrow fund to Penybont FC to help fund a redevelopment at the Kymco Stadium in Bryntirion (pdf).
The fund was part of a deal to bring the ASDA supermarket to Bridgend, the construction of which required a link road to be built through the former football ground. BCBC – who owned the site, but leased it to the football club – agreed to hold the money on their behalf in order to buy a replacement site and provide new facilities.
As promised, nearly all of that money has been spent on 3G pitches at Bridgend College’s campus in Pencoed, as well as an upgrade to facilities at their new full-time ground in Bryntirion.
One of the conditions of the fund would be that BCBC would retain £50,000 in case they need to revert the 3G pitches back to grass at short notice or replace damaged pitches.
However, Penybont FC has requested the £50,000 to expand the seating at Bryntirion Park in order to bring the club up to FAW licence standards.
If a new 250-seater stand isn’t in place by April 2018, Penybont FC could lose their licence and academy status, which is said in the report could not only relegate the club but put the future of its youth teams at risk.
BCBC officers have recommended loaning Penybont FC the money, on condition it’s repaid over 8 years in order to replenish the 3G pitch repair/replace fund back to £50,000.
