A name and design for Swansea’s state-of-the-art new play bus have now been picked.
Children from years seven and ten of Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr voted for the new facility to be called Play on Wheels and chose a design for the outside of the bus that includes vibrant artwork and images of children having fun.
Each of the possible name and design options came about from extensive consultation with schoolchildren across Swansea. Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr was one of the schools to have submitted the most feedback.
The new play bus will be on the road from the end of February thanks to a £160K funding boost from The Big Lottery Fund and Cymorth.
It’s currently being fitted out in Southampton and will include facilities such as monkey bars, disco lights, a karaoke machine, a kitchen and a toilet. There’ll also be plenty of space on board for children to play with a variety of fun equipment.
One of many additional features is a slide attached to the side of the vehicle that will allow children to slide off the bus. A variety of toys and equipment will also be kept on board to ensure bags of outdoor fun when the weather’s dry.
The play bus will travel into communities across Swansea and will particularly target children in more disadvantaged areas and parts of the city where there’s either very limited play spaces available or none at all.
Cllr Alan Robinson, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Regeneration, said: “Our play team does great work in taking play opportunities to children and communities across Swansea but this new play bus will lead to more fun and better facilities than ever before.
“It’s now little over a month until the new bus takes to the roads and excitement is really starting to build.
“Play is a vital part of childhood as it helps develop a whole range of skills and I’d urge parents to keep an eye out for the new play bus in the near future to ensure their children make the most of it.”
Have a look at www.swansea.gov.uk/play for more information about play opportunities across Swansea or call 01792 635480.
