Children celebrate official opening of multi-use games area

Archived press release

Date Published: 19/03/09

The multi-use games area is officially opened

AVDC welcomed pupils from Broughton Junior School to the official opening of new sport and play facilities in Aylesbury on 19 March.

The school children joined Councillor Netta Glover, Chairman of Aylesbury Vale District Council, to celebrate the £100,000 makeover of the open space in Oakfield Road.

A multi-use games area, teenage play and fitness equipment and a youth shelter with solar powered lighting have been installed after the district council consulted local pupils, councillors and residents to find out what facilities they wanted to see provided.

Councillor David Thompson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “This is an excellent example of partnership working to benefit the whole community. People want a say about what goes on in their community, and we value their opinion. A public consultation exercise showed that there was overwhelming support for recreational facilities for children and young people in the Oakfield area, and I am delighted with the end result.”

The multi-use games area is a sand-filled synthetic pitch that can be used for football and basketball. It is self-contained within a fence to stop any ball games disturbing local residents.

New teenage play and fitness equipment includes a twin fly (a rotating piece for two people), a fitness trail and a large single point swing.

The youth shelter is already proving a real hit with local youngsters. Solar powered lighting provides security in the evening for young people, but isn’t bright enough to affect the houses in the local area.

Sixteen oak trees have been planted alongside the new sport and play facilities and access to the open space has been improved.

The Oakfield Road project was paid for by AVDC and ‘Section 106’ funding, where developers make a financial contribution to infrastructure, education or play improvements. The council is planning to upgrade the children’s play area in nearby Denby Walk once funding becomes available.

For more information about play facilities in Aylesbury Vale, visit the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk or call 01296 585228.