Community facilities in West Wales benefit from ‘crucial’ additional funds to meet rising costs

Community facilities in West Wales are set to benefit from ‘crucial’ additional Welsh Government funding enabling them to complete refurbishment works.

The projects had struggled to stay within their original budgets due to rising costs of building supplies.

In total fifteen projects across Wales are receiving funding totalling £467,000 in this round of the Community Facilities Programme. This included £164,000 towards ten smaller projects, all receiving under £25,000 grants.

More than £303,000 will also go towards additional funding for five larger projects.

Small amounts of grant funding can provide a big change for community facilities.

The programme funds the purchase and improvement of facilities which provide opportunities for local people to improve their day to day lives.

Three of the projects are based in West Wales.

The smaller projects include £13,000 towards making a woodland space at Bluegreen Cymru in Teifi Woods, Pembrokeshire more accessible all year round through new paths, a log burner and a covered area;

The larger projects include £50,000 for Aberporth Village Hall in Ceredigion towards rebuilding one property and modernising and refurbishing an adjoining building to include the updating of the kitchen, toilets, improve disabled accessibility plus increase energy efficiency, as well as £50,000 towards new windows to make the building more sustainable for energy costs at New Life Church in Cardigan, Ceredigion.

Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “This additional funding is crucial to allow these larger projects to be completed so they can benefit communities across Wales.

“Due to rising costs for materials they have seen their budgets squeezed as they neared completion. They wouldn’t have been able to carry out essential works like roof repairs, new windows and energy saving improvements if it wasn’t for our Community Facilities Programme.

“I hope everyone gets to enjoy these community facilities once they are finished and look forward to hearing about their progress.”

Sue Lewis, the leading project officer on Aberporth Village Hall in Ceredigion, where work includes rebuilding one property and modernising and refurbishing an adjoining building, said they were hoping to be finished in time for Christmas next year.

“This funding has basically made the difference between the project happening or not,” she said.

“It’s going to completely transform our community. When it’s finished we will have this focal point in the village. It will be a warm and welcoming community hub that everyone can use.”