Sporting facility likely to be out of action for foreseeable future
AN air dome has collapsed as Storm Eunice continues to cause havoc across Cardiff.
Police warned people to steer clear of the area. Video footage shows the giant sporting facility at Leckwith deflated and flapping in the strong winds.
“Unfortunately due to damage sustained by Storm Eunice, the air dome at Cardiff International Sports Campus is completely out of action for the foreseeable future,” said a statement from Cardiff City House of Sport.
“All bookings were cancelled today and nobody was in the vicinity of the Dome when the damage occurred. We will update everyone as we find out news on the repair progress.”
South Wales Police confirmed that officers had been deployed after a building had collapsed, and warned members of the public to avoid the area.
Cardiff has been battered by gusts of up to 90mph as Storm Eunice hits Wales. The Met Office issued a rare red warning and told residents to remain indoors if possible as the weather presents a “severe risk to life”.
Trains and buses were cancelled, while the Severn Bridge and the Prince of Wales Bridge were both closed in both directions for the first time in their history due to high wind speeds.
The storm is expected to continue throughout Friday and the weekend, with the Met Office warning that gusty conditions could affect attempts to clear up the damage.
The Air Dome was built at the Cardiff International Sports Campus in 2017, and cost £650,000 to build.
The dome was constructed over an artificial football pitch, and was designed as an indoor training facility for sports teams and grassroots players.
