- Area:
- Wales
- Programme:
- Young People's Fund Reaching Out
- Release date:
- 15 2 2007
Skaters in the South Wales Valleys are putting in some final hours of practice and polishing off their tricks as they gear up for the official opening of their brand new indoor skating arena.
On Thursday February 15, the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration, Edwina Hart, will officialy open the new facility in the Communities First area of Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taff.
Built inside a disused factory on the Highfield Industrial Estate, the project has received funding from numerous organisations, the largest award being a £300,000 grant under the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Out programme. Other funders include Coalfield Regeneration (£60,000), Community Investment Fund (£25,000), Garfield Western (£20,000) and the Welsh Assembly Government’ Community Facilities and Activities Programme (£99,214).
The park was founded by local residents who were concerned to see so many young people hanging around the streets with nothing to do. The new centre has professional ramps that allow indoor skateboarding, roller-blading and BMX bike riding.
Facilities also include a cafeteria, pool tables, computer games and table football. Forthcoming attractions will also include an Internet café, Internet games equipment, Sky Sports Television and chess tournaments. The Skate Park is also developing its own team for competitions, initially with Skate Parks in Wales, and in Scotland within twelve months.
During the opening, the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration, Edwina Hart, will be treated to a special tour of the facility and a display of stunts by local children. Looking forward to the launch, she commented: “I'm pleased that the Assembly Government can assist a project that benefits so many young people in the area by providing these new facilities."
Commenting on the impact the new facility has had on the community, the Director of Ferndale Skate Park (FSP) Limited, Ruth Challoner, said: “With few places for young people to meet and enjoy outdoor activities, the park is providing a safe and warm haven to play in, which is very reassuring for parents.
“Since we opened in December last year, nearly six hundred young people have become regular visitors at the Skate Park and it has been noted already by the local constabulary that noise and vandalism by young people has calmed down considerably, which in itself is a measure of our success.”
This is the first project, funded under BIG’s £6.2 million Young Peoples Fund ‘Reaching Out’ programme, to be officially opened in Wales. The money from BIG has allowed the company to employ a General Manager, Assistant Manager and five full-time Assistants to run the facility which is open 7 days a week.
Highlighting the importance of the Lottery money, the Big Lottery Fund Director for Wales, Ceri Doyle, said: “Our funding is providing opportunities for unemployed young people in this community to gain confidence and self-esteem and develop skills in a supportive environment. It’s programmes like ‘Reaching Out’ that deliver on our promise to use Lottery funding to help make big, positive changes for communities like this one.”
For further information about the Young People’s Fund ‘Reaching Out’ programme and how your group can apply for funding, log onto the Big Lottery Fund website at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.
Further information
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 02920 678 207
Out of hours contact: 07760171431
Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030
Textphone: 0845 6021 659
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
- On 28 November the Big Lottery Fund (Prescribed Expenditure) Order 2006 completed its Parliamentary passage and came into force Friday 1 December at which point the National Lottery Distributors Dissolution Order 2006 also came into effect dissolving the National Lottery Charities Board (Community Fund) the New Opportunities Fund, and the Millennium Commission.
- The Big Lottery Fund - the biggest of the Lottery good cause distributors - has been the joint operating name of the New Opportunities Fund, the National Lottery Charities Board (which made grants under the name of the Community Fund) since June 2004.
- The Big Lottery Fund is building on the experience and best practice of the merged bodies to simplify funding in those areas where they overlap and to ensure Lottery funding provides the best possible value for money.
Tags