A community group has received almost £25,000 to improve a local skate park.
Young people in Ty Sign, Risca, will benefit from new equipment at the skate park after Caerphilly County Borough Council awarded £24,250 to the Risca Play and Learn Community Group.
The fund has been taken from the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) Environmental Improvements budget. The WHYQS is a set of standards all local authority and housing association homes in Wales must meet, and includes environments which residents can feel proud of.
The current skate park is well-used, and is need of improvements. The current metal framed equipment is nearing the end of its life due to the extensive use. New designs for the skate park comprise of a low maintenance, noise-reducing concrete structure.
Risca Play and Learn Community Group have co-ordinated the consultation with residents through meetings, surveys, and a dedicated Facebook page.
The group also successfully secured funding for the skate park from a number of other sources, including support from Risca Town Council. The council’s Parks Department will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the area and equipment.
Chief Housing Officer, Shaun Couzens, said: “As well as improving the homes of council tenants, the Welsh Housing Quality Standard programme also aims to improve the communities where our tenants live, through the environmental standard.
“The council has appointed a team of Environmental Officers whose role is to work with local communities to identify potential improvements and ensure the environmental element of WHQS is being met.
“The Risca skate park project is a great example of how officers and local residents have worked together to identify a project needed by the community and we are very pleased to be able to support the renewal of this facility.”
To find out more about the WHQS Environmental Improvements, phone 01443 864398 or email tenantinvolvement@caerphilly.gov.uk.