The failure, described as ÔÇÿsignificantÔÇÖ by a University spokesperson, prompted a two-day cancellation of activity between the incident, and the delivery and installation of a new generator to power the floodlights necessary for evening practices.
Although power has been restored to the Talybont site, it is running at ÔÇÿhigh riskÔÇÖ, as only one electrical switchgear unit is being used as opposed to three, as is the usual procedure.
Due to the risk, the University hired and operated, at significant cost, a generator to offset the power requirements, which enabled the use of the floodlights prior to the Christmas break.
Emma Fox, a fourth-year psychology student and ladies’ rugby player, said, “we were lucky that our biggest match was cancelled due to the snow, otherwise we would have been completely unprepared without those last few vital training sessions”.
However, Cari Davies, the Athletic Union President said that, although the failure had impacted training and subsequently performance, “I am sure our sports teams will be fine. They will display their usual talent in overcoming adversities”.
The Athletic Union has been involved throughout the entire process and agreed to the hours that the generator would be operated to power the floodlights.
According to a University spokesperson, “there is a risk that operating the floodlights would overload the one electrical switchgear. This would cause a power loss to the whole of the Talybont site at a time when exams are taking place in the sports hall and students will be revising, etc.”
The generator has again been used to operate the floodlights from January 14th, again at significant cost. The Athletic Union has been involved in this decision.
It is hoped that the switchgear can be repaired by the end of January, although it is expected to cost £50,000. The University Estates team, along with Western Power, are scheduling the significant work and are awaiting parts.
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