Six new Welsh Language Centres set for £1.5m funding boost

Six new Welsh Language Centres and Learning Spaces to promote the use of the language across Wales will be created with the support of over £1.5mn Welsh Government Capital Funding, the First Minister Carwyn Jones announced today.

Through the Bwrw Mlaen Capital Investment Grant 2015-16, the new dynamic language centres will be developed to allow people to live, learn and enjoy their Welsh, making the Welsh language a visible part of daily life.

The following projects will receive support during the 2015-16 financial round:

• Ynys Mon Council (£58,843) to develop a ‘communications hub’ for young people
• Cardiff City Council (£400,000) to transform the Old Library in the Hayes into a multi-purpose Welsh Language Centre
• Ceredigion County Council (£150,000) to develop a latecomers’ immersion centre in Tregaron that would also serve as a centre for the wider community
• Gwynedd Council (£300,000) to create a multi-purpose Welsh Language Centre in the heart of Bangor
• Coleg Ceredigion (£300,000) to develop a multi-purpose centre in Aberteifi
• Academi Hywel Teifi (£300,000) to develop a multi-purpose Welsh Language Centre in Pontardawe.

Since August 2014, the Capital Investment Grant has supported the development of ten new Welsh Language Centres across Wales.

First Minister said:

“I am delighted to be able to announce that six new Welsh Language centres will be created across Wales with the support of over £1.5m of capital funding.  Increasing the use of the Welsh Language in daily life is at the centre of our vision within Bwrw Mlaen.  The development of these multi-purpose language centres and learning spaces will play a key role in achieving that.

“These centres will provide wide ranging opportunities for people of all ages to use, practice and enjoy the language at grass roots level.  Already we’ve seen some exciting centres being developed across Wales thanks to the Capital Investment grant, demonstrating our commitment to seeing the language thrive in our communities.  I look forward to seeing how the six projects I’m announcing today develop over the coming months.”

One of the projects set to benefit from this year’s fund is the transformation of the Old Library in Cardiff City Centre into a new Welsh Language Centre.  The new centre, with support of £400,000 through the fund, will promote the use of Welsh in Cardiff by offering a variety of opportunities, including a café, bookstore, teaching rooms and exhibition area, flexible performance space and conference facilities.

City of Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Phil Bale said:

“This venture will realise the Council and  the  Welsh Government’s ambition to create a unique cultural and heritage centre, adding to Cardiff’s wealth of visitor attractions.

“By moving the Welsh Language Cultural Centre into The Old Library, we will increase and improve the tourism offering for those visiting the city and create a ‘one-stop’ attraction which will both provide visitors with an insight into the Welsh language and Welsh culture as well as learning about the history of Cardiff, depicted by the Cardiff Story Museum.  We will work with all the partners and with Cardiff Story Museum to ensure we create a fantastic new attraction for our capital city.”