Two new splash pad facilities for Pontypridd and the Rhondda, alongside enhancements to the splash pad at Aberdare Park, are among major investment proposals that will be considered by Cabinet later this month.
A report to Cabinet on Monday, September 21, 2026, includes proposals to invest £800,000 in new splash pad facilities, with developments proposed for Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in Pontypridd and Gelligaled Park in the Rhondda.
If agreed, the Pontypridd splash pad would be delivered in partnership with Pontypridd Town Council and would also be subject to approval by the Ynysangharad War Memorial Park Sub Committee. For the Rhondda facility, feasibility work, site surveys and suitability assessments would be finalised at Gelligaled Park to ensure the investment is deliverable and provides the greatest benefit for residents and visitors.
Further to this, discussions will also take place between the Council and Friends of Aberdare Park about opportunities to enhance the existing splash pad in Aberdare and its future operating model.
The proposals would further strengthen Rhondda Cynon Taf's family leisure offer and build on the success of the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty and the popular Aberdare Splash Pad, helping to create the biggest and best outdoor water play and swimming offer in Wales.
An additional £12 million is proposed for Council priority areas in 2026/27, over and above the capital programme for this financial year which is currently being delivered. The areas that will be prioritised in 2026/27 are:
- Highways and Roads – £3.5 million.
- Llanharan Sustainable Transport Corridor – £3 million.
- Cynon Gateway North Transit Corridor – £3 million.
- Flood Alleviation works – £250,000.
- Unadopted Roads – £150,000.
- Splash Pads – £800,000.
- Parks and Green Spaces – £500,000.
- Country Parks – £150,000.
- Play Areas – £100,000.
- Streetcare improvements (bins) – £25,000.
- Energy support, third sector – £60,000.
- Capital Programme pipeline development/delivery – £600,000.
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “Cabinet will soon consider these important proposals to allocate over £12 million more across the Council’s priority areas during the current financial year – building on the substantial Capital Programme for 2026/27 that has been delivered since March. This is a one-off, extra resource, that will expand our programme of work in some areas and enable new investment in others.
“One of the most exciting elements of these proposals is the £800,000 investment towards two new splash pads, at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in Pontypridd and Gelligaled Park in the Rhondda. We know there is strong public support for high-quality family attractions and outdoor leisure facilities, and we're confident these proposals would prove extremely popular with residents and visitors. If approved, Rhondda Cynon Taf will have the biggest and best outdoor water play and swimming offer in Wales.
“This is yet another example of our ambitious TransformingRCT investment programme, from schools and leisure centres to highways improvements and flood resilience projects, as well as improving our play offer with skate parks, multi-use games areas, play areas and now… splash pads!”
See the full agenda and papers to be considered at Cabinet on September 21 here.
You can use the same link to watch the meeting in real time from 10.30am on Monday, September 21.
Posted on 14/09/2026