Guy Jones, a Funding Officer for The National Lottery Communities Fund, has expressed his delight in the Go Underhill development after popping in to the construction site in Underhill Park to see the how the plans are being turned into a reality.
Following an application made by Mumbles Community Association (MCA) in summer 2020, The National Lottery Communities Fund awarded a grant of £500k towards the development of a new community hub, café and meeting room. This will be a key element of the overall development which also includes the construction of six new, modern changing rooms to replace outdated facilities built in 1940’s.
This was a first visit to the construction site by The National Lottery and for Guy personally. He was impressed both by the scale of the project and the plans being developed for the community to access and enjoy the new facilities.
Guy said:
“The scale of the Go Underhill development is truly impressive. The quality of the work being done looks to be excellent and Mumbles Community Association needs to be commended for getting the scheme off the ground.
“A lot of our capital projects are facing big funding challenges, so to hear that MCA has been successful in securing enough grants and donations to progress the main elements of their Phase 1 plans is to be applauded.
“What is really exciting is to hear the plans for using the development to bring the community together and to encourage more people to visit and spend time in the park. Hats off to everyone involved so far.
Guy was welcomed on site by David Wilson, MCA Vice Chair, MCA Trustee Fiona Rees and T.A.D.’s Site Manager Leighton Barnett. As well as having a thorough look around the construction site, Guy was also shown the excellent children’s play facilities at Underhill and the work currently underway to bring new services to the development.
With work on the main construction progressing well, it is hoped to open the main facilities by April 2023.
Guy concluded:
“The National Lottery Communities Fund is delighted to have been the first confirmed grant funder of such a significant project and we look forward to celebrating with the local community when these wonderful facilities open for use next year.”