New Rhymney Play Area Unveiled

Children in Ty Coch, Rhymney are celebrating the unveiling of a brand new play area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ty Coch’s new play area was officially opened by Cllr Leon Gardiner, the Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council, on Friday 29th April. Pupils from year 6 of Upper Rhymney Valley Primary School attended the launch, along with local residents. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Pen-y-Dre Tenants and Residents Association successfully secured funding for the installation of the new play equipment and new fencing around the site from a number of sources; including the Welsh Church Fund and Caerphilly County Borough Council. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The play equipment was donated by Caerphilly County Borough Council who managed its installation and will also be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the facility. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr Leon Gardiner, said “It’s a privilege to be invited to officially open this new facility. Play areas like this are incredibly important in helping to ensure children have opportunities to safely take part in fun, physical outdoor activities. I’m sure this area will be very well used and enjoyed by local children for many years to come.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

During the event, residents were also encouraged to find out more about other local projects and activities; including those run by Communities First from the Hafod Deg Resource Centre on Rhymney High Street. The council’s Caerphilly Homes team was also on hand during the day, providing tenants with information on the range of housing services available including its £200 million Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) improvement programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Carl Cuss, Twyn Carno ward member and Secretary of Pen y Dre Tenants and Residents Association, commented “We have been fighting for many years for funding for a play area to be located on the housing estate and I am thrilled by the work that has been put in by the Pen y Dre Tenants & Residents Association and our partners that we were able to secure over £35,000 funding for this facility. The amount of children using the facility on a weekly basis clearly demonstrates how much this was needed and I know it will be enjoyed by the local community for many years to come.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​