Tuesday 26th October 2010 saw the official ‘cutting of the sod’ ceremony at the site of Parc Taf Bargoed’s new Environment & Heritage Centre.
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council has secured funding through the Heads of the Valleys Programme, EU and Big Lottery Fund to develop Parc Taf Bargoed into an environmental and heritage hub through activities to promote Biodiversity & Ecology, Environment and Heritage, Informal Play in the Park and Community cycling & walking trails.
The Environment & Heritage Centre will be a focal point for visitors and provide a venue in the Parc for events and activities, a hub for the local community where the Parc Taf Bargoed story can be told, where the heritage of the local communities can be celebrated and where people can learn about the environment they live, work or play in.
The centre will have two storeys, a meeting room, café area, walled outside seating and visitor information point.
The new centre is a key part of the Communities Changing Landscape: The Parc Taf Bargoed Story, which is funded through the Big Lottery Fund. This project is a programme of environment and heritage activities on the parc and surrounding trails. The centre is also part of an improvement programme in Parc Taf Bargoed led by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council in partnership with the Taff Bargoed Regeneration Partnership and the Friends of Parc Taf Bargoed.
Since 2008 £1.6m has been secured by the Council from the Welsh Assembly Heads of the Valley’s Programme, the Valleys Regional Park project, European Convergence and Interreg Funding. The investment is improving the entrances to the parc and visitor facilities and last year the Lakeside Activity Centre was opened.
As a result of the investment, Parc Taf Bargoed is gaining a reputation across the UK as a venue for canoe polo and slalom. In 2011 the parc will host the UK playoffs for canoe polo in partnership with Aberfan Canoe Club and will bring over 400 people to the valley.
Leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Councillor Jeff Edwards, said: “Parc Taf Bargoed is a key economic driver for the Taff Bargoed Valley. The physical improvements will act as a catalyst for further investment in the Taff Bargoed Valley and support the regeneration of Bedlinog, Treharris and Trelewis”.
Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies AM said: “The Environment and Heritage centre will provide an excellent community resource as well as new facilities to attract those from further afield.
“This project is an excellent example of how the Heads of the Valleys Regeneration Area programme is contributing to projects that benefit local people as well as boosting tourism, which will help the local economy. I am delighted that the Welsh Assembly Government is contributing to something that will make such a positive difference to the area, “
For more information on projects and activities in the parc please see www.merthyr.gov.uk
