FUNDING of £9,000 has been given towards the development of a popular park in the Neath Port Talbot area from the county borough council.
The project proposed by Cilybebyll Community Council will look to develop a multi-use games area (MUGA) in Rhos Park near Neath Road, in a scheme that would be worth a total of £91,000 once completed.
The £9,000 of council funding will come as part of the Community Councils Minor Projects Scheme, designed to assist similar community projects right across the borough.
The approval was given at a cabinet meeting on October 2, and will help towards creating an “informal space for recreational sport in a secure, safe environment which is within easy walking distance of a captive audience.”
The report read: “The MUGA specification will include a playing surface footprint (12 x21m), of porous tarmac marked out for netball, basketball and football enclosed with a 3m perimeter fence with recessed goal mouths, hoops and a chicane. Link paths, reinstatement, curb edging, and litter bins, benches and a bike rack are included in our project proposal.”
It added that the project has currently been under consideration for four years with fears from members that any delays in acting could lead to the proposal becoming “less deliverable” due to increases in costs.
The £9,000 requested from the Community Minor Projects grant could now be used alongside a secured Section 106 community contribution worth £71,266 as well as £11,000 from the Cilybebyll Community Council reserves.