Scarlets have today officially handed over the Parc y Scarlets field hospital to the NHS to help the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a remarkable transformation that has taken just over three weeks, three sites at the stadium have been converted into medical facilities which will initially provide 350 beds for the local health authority.
Contractors have been working around the clock at the Juno Moneta Indoor training facility, the Quinnell Lounge and the first floor concourse in the South Stand to complete the work.
Parc y Scarlets is one of eight locations that has been turned into a field hospital for the Hywel Dda University Health Board and has been named ‘Ysbyty Enfys Scarlets’. Enfys (rainbow) is a reflection of the symbol of hope chosen for the pandemic.
Scarlets general manager of rugby Jon Daniels said: “It seems only a few weeks ago that the players were on the barn training, now the facility is ready as a field hospital. It’s been incredible to see how quickly the sites at the stadium have been converted and that is down to the tireless work of everyone involved, from local contractors, volunteers and our staff here at Parc y Scarlets. The community has really pulled together to make this happen.
“We have had people working long hours to get the hospital ready and we thank them all and their families.
“To think, a couple of our former rugby apprentices, Darren Daniel and Ian Jones, who were with us at Stradey Park 16 or so years ago, have been here with their own businesses working on the project. It just shows how much of a huge community effort it has been.”
Carmarthenshire County Council and Hywel Dda have been working with the Scarlets on the transformation of the stadium since the end of March.
Steve Moore, chief executive of Hywel Dda, said: “The efforts that our colleagues and partners in local authorities, private businesses including Parc y Scarlets, contractors and our own staff have made is nothing short of remarkable and I want to personally extend my deepest thanks and gratitude to all for coming together and making this happen in the midst of a very serious global pandemic.”
Cllr Emlyn Dole, leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, added: “It is truly remarkable what our contractors have achieved for us in such a short space of time. I want to thank each and every man and woman who has been part of this immense achievement – I have visited the sites and seen the level of work being undertaken, the commitment shown by the workforce and the incredible teamwork and sense of community that has powered them through.
“These people have been willing, day after day, to leave the safety of their family homes to work around the clock to provide these hospitals and they deserve every thank you – you have done Carmarthenshire proud.”