Vandal hit Blackpool pavilion set for cash injection

A rundown pavilion in Stanley Park is set for a new lease of life thanks to an injection of cash from  councillors.
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The boarded up former tennis pavilion has become a target for graffiti and vandalism but Marton councillors Debbie Coleman and Andrew Stansfield want to see it reopened for community use.

They are putting £7,000 of their ward funding towards kickstarting work to repair the building near the clock tower, with other funding expected to come from the council and grant applications.

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The investment is part of a package of ward funding totalling around £17,000 being ploughed into the park by the councillors.

Coun Andrew Stansfield and Coun Debbie Coleman at the rundown tennis pavilionCoun Andrew Stansfield and Coun Debbie Coleman at the rundown tennis pavilion
Coun Andrew Stansfield and Coun Debbie Coleman at the rundown tennis pavilion

Another £4,000 is going towards the purchase of a disabled swing for the park’s playground, £1,390 to buy and fit two defibrillators and £1,000 for a new bench and concrete base.

A further application is being made to spend £4,000 on repairs to the roof at the visitor centre.

Coun Stansfield said: “The tennis pavilion has fallen into a state of disrepair. But we have had inquiries from groups wanting to use it again so we feel it should be restored.

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“It could be used by youth groups, mother and toddler groups for instance, and as a meeting place.

“The police have previously used it as a base, and perhaps they could do that again which would bring more security to the park.”

Coun Coleman added: “It’s a waste that it’s not being used as a community facility. There are so many people who want to use it, but not in its current state.

“We also wanted to put a disabled swing back into the playground. There used to be one but it was removed a few years ago.

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“This one will be able to hold a wheelchair and there is room for the child’s carer as well.”

The Friends of Stanley Park is also putting £500 towards the cost of the swing which it is hoped will be in place by the summer.

One of the defibrillators will be fitted at the visitor centre, and both will supplement the existing defibrillator at Blackpool Sports Centre.

Each ward in Blackpool received £15,000 of council cash to spend on community projects during the 2020/21 financial year, while unspent funds are rolled over from previous years.

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