Newtown Skate Park update

August 17, 2010

I always prefer to write a blog post that brings good news! After years of talk, Newtown will soon have a skate park. A group of us have been campaigning for funding for a skate park for some time.

All being well, the new skate park should be open in the Autumn. It’s going to be built on the land at the entrance to Trehafren fields behind the police station.  I think this is a good location as it is fairly central and not located too close to residential properties.

The whole project was put out to tender. Often the Council puts a tender together and looks for companies to submit their ideas and price, but on this occasion companies have been told how much they have to spend, and they have to bring forward creative bids.

Each company bidding has consulted with young people from Newtown either by using Facebook, or by meeting groups to listen to their suggestions. I have always believed it’s not Councillors or council staff that should decide the design; it’s the people that will use it. The selection process will take place over the next few weeks, and the successful bidder will start work soon.

I was amongst a number of Councillors that was involved in securing the funding for the skate park. Being a Councillor often brings difficult and challenging issues, but it’s all worth it when you get a positive result.

If you are interested in knowing more or being involved in the skate park, please leave a comment.

See the County Times Story

1 Comment | leisure, newtown, recreation, Skate Park, sport | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by russellgeorge

A day of new plans

August 10, 2010

Had my first campaign meeting this morning to elect me to the Welsh Assembly next May. All very exciting with lots of ideas and offers of help.

This afternoon, I had a meeting with my Newtown County Councillor colleagues; we get together once a month to work on issues that are wider than our own wards. The main issue of discussion was Newtown Indoor Market Hall.

Together, we have achieved allot over the past 6 months, funding for a new Skate Park, Theatre Hafren and Maldwyn sports Centre.

Securing a good future for Newtown Indoor Market Hall is the area we are having most difficulty making progress. We all believe that capital money from the sale of the Smithfield site in Newtown to Tesco should be used to refurnish and fund a project that will make the Market Hall a real focal point and reason to visit the town centre.

Unfortunately, we have come across continued opposition. Can’t say too much, but we are now working on new plans to keep the refurbishment and regeneration firmly on the agenda.

4 Comments | newtown, welsh assembly | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by russellgeorge

£1.3 million boost for Newtown

April 7, 2010

We are now into day two of the election campaign. As the news broke yesterday, I was out campaigning in Broad Street, Newtown with Glyn Davies the Conservative candidate, who I very much hope will be elected as the next MP for Montgomeryshire one month today. 

However, my blog post is not on election news, but on good news for Newtown. 

The five Newtown County Councillors, Peter Harris, Frank Torrens, Richard White, Bob Mills and myself have been working together to secure funding for a number of Newtown projects, and we have recently had conformation of funding for three of our top priorities. 

A skatepark is just one of the options that a panel of young people will consider

 

I’m most excited about the funding for the Skate Park myself. A young persons group will be set up. Youth service staff have been investigating various options to put to Newtown’s youth including different options for a skate park, an Adizone, which is an outdoor gym sponsored by Adidas, and a multi-use games area. I have asked a member of the youth staff to attend a community meeting in my ward on 28th April at 6.30pm at Trehafren meeting hall and all are welcome. 

What is important to me is that the locations of these facilities are in appropriate places and are good value for money. I’m keen that what is selected is not just a fad and that the facilities will be used for many years to come. 

The largest sum of money, £812,000, has been set aside for improvements at Theatre Hafren, they can now make improvements to there facilities and I’m excited about the proposals which will now be drawn up. I am fully expecting the theatres management team (which I sit on) to use this sum to leverage further match funding. 

£397,000 has been earmarked for improvements at Maldwyn Leisure Centre – £230,000 for the replacement of the synthetic pitch, £87,000 for the athletic facilities and £80,000 for replacement of tiling at the pool. 

Although this funding is welcomed, we have further work to do. Our top priority has always been the refurbishment of the Market Hall. I believe we must have investment in the commercial centre of Newtown and especially since the loss of big names such as Woolworth’s and Curry’s. What better way to do this than a total refurbishment of the hall for the benefit of small and new start up business with further facilities such as tourist information centre to make this a focal and centre point in Newtown to be proud of.

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Posted by russellgeorge

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