The village of Blaengwynfi in Port Talbot is to have a £350,000 makeover.
A two year project is underway to build a modern community facility for the Gwynfi Bowls Club on the site of the old Abergwynfi Primary/Junior Schools.
The now redundant school is being demolished along with the dilapidated bowls pavilion to make way for a new bowls pavilion, car park and landscaping.
Also planned for the future are children and youth play areas which will be grant funded by money secured by local community group GASP (Gwynfi Affiliated Sports Project) who will be responsible for this part of the project.
The riverside walk is to be upgraded with new railings and landscaping.
The majority of the cost is coming from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Strategic Regeneration Area grant topped up by Neath Port Talbot Council.
The majority of works will be carried out in this year.
“This exciting project will bring huge benefits to both the local community and visitors to the valley,” says Council Leader, Ali Thomas.
“These modern facilities can be enjoyed by the bowls club, the children and the young people of the area.”
Demolition contractors, Ian Davies Plant Ltd., are working on site and should complete the demolition of the school soon. The old pavilion will be demolished in March.
The new pavilion is being manufactured off site by Integra Buildings and sections will be craned to the site for construction by the end of March.
Design work for the car park and surrounding landscaping are underway for work to be completed in the summer.
“Regenerating our valley communities is something that the Council is committed to and I am pleased to see that work has started in the heart of Blaengwynfi,” added Councillor Thomas.
