Work has begun on a £500,000 revamp of children's play areas across Bridgend county borough. The refurbishments, which will take place across a number of play areas, will look to provide inclusive equipment and spaces for children that could be utilised by many local families. The work is being carried out in a series of contracts managed by Bridgend County Borough Council's Green Spaces section.
The move was widely approved by councillors at a monthly cabinet meeting, with Councillor John Spanswick, who is the cabinet member for communities, saying the work was part of a significant investment from the council that would be beneficial for locals for years to come. He said: "We recognise that parks and play areas form an essential part of our local communities, enabling young children to have fun and play safely.
"This is why we're making a significant investment in improving these areas, which will include inclusive play equipment which young children of any ability can enjoy. The refurbishment programme will ensure that these play areas can be utilised by local families and young people for many years to come."
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The work follows on from another development in Maesteg, where a new soft play facility was opened in Maesteg Sports Centre, named the ‘JumpINGym’ indoor soft play area. The site, which is designed to provide local children with a secure environment to play in is spread across two levels of the newly-refurbished building, and has been designed to offer adventure-themed play opportunities.
Councillor Rhys Goode, said the site would also help children to learn and develop new skills, and was the first feature to be revealed after the refurbishment of Maesteg sports centrre.
He said: “With free car parking and additional accessible facilities, I’m certain that the new JumpINGym will prove popular with local children as we go into the summer holidays and beyond. It is a great new addition for Maesteg Sports Centre. As well as being suitable for children with additional needs, it offers opportunities for children to learn and develop new skills while having fun.
"The new JumpINGym, which has been developed using play sufficiency funding from Welsh Government, is the first new feature to be revealed following a major refurbishment of Maesteg Sports Centre, and I am looking forward to the announcement of additional facilities in coming weeks."
The work to develop play areas on the following sites are currently underway in Bridgend, and are expected to be completed towards the end of this month. They are in:
- Caedu Park, Park Avenue, Ogmore Vale
- Cavendish Park, Cae Canol, Nottage, Porthcawl
- Evanstown Welfare Park, Heol-Y-Parc, Evanstown
- The Precinct, Wildmill, Bridgend
- Woodlands Terrace, Caerau, Maesteg
Work to refurbish four more sites across the borough will start in September 2022 and will include:
- Adare Street, Ogmore Vale
- Heol y Goedwig, Porthcawl
- New Street Play Area, Oak Street, Aberkenfig
- Tondu Post Office Play Area, Maesteg Road, Tondu
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