Funding approved for Belmont Road play area refurbishment in Northwich
The community in Northwich are set to get a new play area at Belmont Road thanks to a £94,965 grant from FCC Communities Foundation.
The money will be used to totally refurbish the existing play area with new accessible equipment for the whole community to enjoy.
The total cost for the refurbishment will be £182,818 and this is made up from FCC Communities Foundation Funding, Section 106 contribution, Rudheath & Witton Together, CW&C Members Budget and Northwich Town Council.
Northwich Town Mayor Cllr Kate Cernik believes the facility will make a huge difference to the lives of people living in the area. She says: “This project will provide a real boost to the community around Belmont Road and It’s fantastic that FCC Communities Foundation has awarded us this money and we’re really looking forward to our play area taking shape over the coming months.
FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community
projects through the Landfill Communities Fund
Penny Horne, FCC Communities Foundation grant manager, says: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Belmont Road Play Area Improvements project and pleased our funding will provide such a fantastic facility for children and young families across Northwich. FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference to local communities and we’re really looking forward to seeing this one take shape soon.”
Cllr Cernik hopes the new play area will be ready to use by March 25 just in time for the warmer months.
This follows months of consultation with user groups and the community, Northwich Town Council wanted to make this play area as accessible and inclusive as possible for the everyone and we believe we have achieved this through the meetings we have had with the end user.
Diane Dixon was thrilled to be involved in the project “As a parent of a child with additional needs it was great to be involved in the new design of Belmont Park, together with other parents with children of different abilities has enabled our voices to be heard and create an inclusive safe space we can all enjoy”
Maylinda Gaunt who was also involved said “Working on the all-inclusive play park project was truly an honor. This cooperative initiative created a play area that not only catered to the needs of disabled children but also allowed them to actively participate in the park activities. The impact of this inclusive space was truly life-changing for the children, providing them with opportunities for fun and social interaction that were previously inaccessible. It was heartwarming to see how the play park brought joy and a sense of belonging to all children, regardless of their abilities. The success of this project underscored the importance of creating inclusive spaces that cater to the needs of every individual.”
The play area will include swings, trimtrails, breakout zones, interactive panels, roundabouts, climbing frames and all this has been designed with inclusivity first.
Andrew Cooper MP said: “This is the last project I was involved with as a Northwich Town Councillor and I am absolutely delighted that the funding has been secured.
“This is great news for people in Belmont as it will not only help deliver a new play area, but a wealth of accessible and sensory play equipment for the first time in Rudheath.
“It should be a source of pride that the project was co-produced with SEND parents from the local community, and that the process and final design will be a model for future play area refurbishments.
“Congratulations to everyone at Northwich Town Council for making this happen.”