The Trust was established through an agreement between the Millennium Stadium plc and the Millennium Commission when the Stadium was built and income is generated through a levy on every ticket purchased for public events at the Stadium, with all funding staying in Wales to benefit Welsh people.
Russell Goodway, the current Chairman of the Trust and who, as leader first, of the former South Glamorgan County Council and later as leader of Cardiff County Council, was instrumental in securing the £46 million Millennium Commission stadium grant and one of the architects of the trust said: “I am delighted that the Trust has proven to be so successful.
“The whole Millennium Stadium project was really ambitious and the decision to establish to Trust to secure a nationwide benefit from this remarkable millennium landmark project has simply enhanced its value to the whole of Wales. It helped put confidence back not just into Wales but in communities across the country. In terms of nation building, the trust has made a real contribution over the past ten years.”
The Trust is a unique element of this millennium landmark project, one of twelve sponsored by the Millennium Commission to celebrate the beginning of the third millennium in 2000. It was created by the Millennium Stadium PLC (a subsidiary of the Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff Council (which owns the “golden share” in the stadium) and the Millennium Commission. During the past decade some £4 million has been awarded to community groups through grants that have ranged from £500 to £20,000 per grant.
Gerry Toms, Stadium Manager, said: “Many sports fans and concert-goers that have visited the Millennium Stadium over the past decade will have no idea that they are making a worthwhile contribution to increasing the quality of life of communities throughout Wales.
“It is fantastic news that the Trust has reached the £4million mark on this landmark occasion and I would like to thank all the fans who have turned up in their thousands to support over 300 events here, from Take That and the Rolling Stones, to Wales’ rugby clash with England last weekend and the upcoming Millennium Magic which is back for two full days of rugby league action this Saturday.”
