Ambitious plans to replace the wooden Community Hall at Sardis Community Chapel in Ynysddu have received a £25,000 boost from Caerphilly County Borough Council.
The authority’s cabinet met on Tuesday and gave the green light for a Regeneration Funding Award to be made towards the cost of the £130,000 scheme.
The decision was warmly welcomed by Plaid ward councillor Don Cullen and Steffan Lewis, the party’s Assembly election candidate for Islwyn.
Cllr Cullen praised the work of Wendy Roberts, the secretary of the community centre and the church, for her unstinting work in bringing the award application to a successful fruition.
He said: “This is great news. I am sure that the whole community of Ynysddu will welcome this £25,000 award. It will be seen as a positive message and help to sustain the local community and improve the facilities that they are providing.
“It is really encouraging to witness the whole community of Ynysddu pulling together under the leadership of Wendy and her dedicated group of volunteers who work unstintingly for the benefit of their village.”
The hall is used by the community on a daily basis but has been showing signs of its age for some years with the leaking roof one of the key issues.
With a total of £130,000 needed for the new building, Mrs Roberts is pursuing other sources for grants. Meanwhile, classes and fundraising activities continue as usual until enough money has been raised to enable the rebuild to start. It is hoped that, subject to the necessary funding being obtained, work on the new building could start in July.
The Community Regeneration Fund scheme is aimed at fostering and enhancing “viable and sustainable” communities in the county borough.
Islwyn candidate Steffan Lewis said: “This great news for Ynysddu is yet another example of how Plaid Cymru is fighting for local communities despite the current financial climate.
“This is very welcome for Ynysddu and I congratulate Wendy Roberts and her colleagues in securing such a boost for the area.”