Opened in 1892 as a gift from the Gilbertson family to Pontardawe Rugby Football Club, Pontardawe Recreation Ground was originally a playing field but developed by the end of the 1890s to include a cinder track for cycling and athletics as well. With the expansion of the steel works at the beginning of the twentieth century, the recreation ground was built upon. A new recreation ground was provided on the eastern bank of the Swansea Canal which remains in use today.
