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Cash boost brings park sports revival
TWO Blackpool parks are set for a sporting revolution thanks to £50,000 cash boosts.
Kingscote Park in Layton and Watson Road Park in South Shore have both been awarded funding to build new community sports facilities on their grounds.
Council staff and volunteers from both parks' groups have managed to secure funding from the national Barclays Spaces for Sports programme for new multi-use games areas.
The three-year community sponsorship programme will help fund, create and improve sports facilities across the whole of the UK.
A new multi-use games area is to be built at Watson Road Park and the existing games area at Kingscote Park is to undergo a complete refurbishment.
Each site has received 50,000, which aims to help create and encourage a greater take-up of sports in the area.
Coun David Owen, member for culture and leisure, said: "The new facilities will ensure that a range of activities, including football, basketball and cricket can be offered to the local community.
"Not only is it hoped the projects will encourage people to take up sport and improve their health, it will also bring people together and strengthen community spirit."
Martin Bayley, a member of the Kingscote Park Friends Group, said: "The Friends Group is delighted a grant has been awarded to further develop the multi-use games area on the park and wishes to thank all the partners for their hard work in developing this project."
Work on the new facilities is provisionally due to start in March.
On completion, new sports development programmes are to be created at each site and a full programme of activities will take place aimed at children and young people in the surrounding areas.
It is the latest boost for Watson Road Park after an army of volunteers helped turn around the once neglected open space's fortunes in recent years.
The once showcase park, which boasted a concrete climbing tortoise, table tennis and a putting green, has been restored to its former glory thanks to the hard work of the group.
Dog shows and fun days are now regular events and the park also has a tea shop, which is open in good weather throughout the summer months.
Kingscote Park has also turned its fortunes around.
Once plagued by vandals and anti-social behaviour, CCTV and regular police patrols have helped to greatly reduce the problem in recent years, making Layton's biggest park into a desirable area to spend leisure time.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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