Glynneath Miners Welfare Park has undergone a major transformation thanks to a £817,860 redevelopment project funded by Glynneath Town Council with support from Neath Port Talbot Council’s Project Development and Funding Team.
The project was officially opened by Glynneath-born entertainer Max Boyce MBE and Glynneath Town Mayor, Councillor Julian Bulman.
The new facilities include a children’s play park on the site of the former bowls green, complete with zip wires, trampolines, a rope course, swings, an inclusive roundabout, and a “roadway” designed for cycling and scooting.
Three tennis courts have been fully refurbished, while a fourth has been repurposed as a multi-use games area for football, hockey, and netball. The teen park now features a double zip-line, cone climber, rotator, swings, and a youth shelter.
(Images: Neath Port Talbot Council)
Glynneath Town Mayor, Councillor Julian Bulman, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see the redevelopment of Glynneath Miners Welfare Park completed. This is a vital community space that has been transformed into a vibrant, inclusive area that will benefit residents of all ages for years to come. The town council is incredibly grateful to all the funders and partners who made this possible – it’s a fantastic achievement for Glynneath.”
Cllr Simon Knoyle – Project Lead for Glynneath Town Council and Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice, said: “This project was my top priority when first elected in May 2017. It has taken us eight years for phase one of this ambitious project to come to fruition. I am delighted with what we have been able to achieve with the support of the fantastic community grant funding that has been provided.
“The planning for phase two is already underway and we hope to see progress of that within the next 12-18 months. We wanted to create a legacy, to make this Miners Welfare Park the hub of the community once again for everyone in Glynneath to be able to enjoy.”
The project was made possible thanks to significant financial support from the Maes Gwyn Community Benefit Fund (£395,000) and the Pen y Cymoedd ‘Vision’ Fund (£393,240.10) with additional funding coming from Glynneath Town Council (£13,518), Neath Port Talbot Council’s Community Minor Projects Grant (£10,000) and the Selar Community Benefit Fund (£6,101.90).
