£5million loan scheme launched by the Welsh Government to improve local sport facilities.

The Welsh Government has today launched a £5million loan scheme to improve local sport and recreation facilities across Wales in an effort to encourage more people to get physically active.

Local authorities are invited to apply for the interest free Sports Facilities Capital Loan Scheme to modernise their sport and recreation facilities, making them more inclusive, attractive and accessible and ensuring they meet the needs of their local area.

The scheme is aimed at encouraging local authorities to make the most of the outdoors for the pursuit of sport and active recreation particularly focusing on hard to reach groups and deprived area’s

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, said the loan scheme will help local authorities find new and exciting ways to encourage whole families to enjoy and take part in sporting activities in their area.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the loan scheme the Deputy Minister said:

“Our ambition is to make Wales the most creative and active nation in the UK. To do this we need sports facilities that meet the needs of the local community and inspire people to take up a sport and get active.

“I am pleased we have been able to make this £5million interest free loan scheme available to local authorities across Wales to help them improve facilities at what is a challenging financial time. Inclusive and attractive facilities should be the norm if we are to create an active, healthy nation.

“The scheme is about creating the right facilities in the right places. There should be no barriers to sport and its many benefits and I want to see people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds regularly participating.”

Local authorities will be able to apply for loans between £500,000 to £1m for projects that meet the scheme criteria.

These are interest free and must be repaid within ten years.