Swansea Council’s Cabinet has approved a major funding package that will see almost £10 million invested in changing rooms, skate parks, and local community projects over the next three years. The initiative, part of the expanding Community Investment Fund, aims to enhance neighbourhood facilities and ensure residents across Swansea have access to modern, inclusive, and accessible outdoor spaces.
The newly approved plans will increase the Community Investment Fund to nearly £10 million by 2027, supporting a broad range of local improvements. A significant portion of the funding—£3 million—will go toward upgrading sports changing rooms at locations including Cwm Level, Trallwn, Ynystawe, Tir Canol, Blaenymaes, and Bonymaen. This funding will come from a combination of direct council support, external grants, and a potential £1 million contribution over two years from the Cymru Football Foundation.
The skate park development programme is also receiving a substantial boost. With a new facility already opened in Coed Bach and public consultations underway for future sites in Gowerton and Ynystawe, the total funding for the wheeled sports master plan will increase to at least £2.9 million by 2027. The goal is to ensure that every resident lives within a few miles of a skate facility, promoting easy access to wheeled sports across the city.
An additional £1 million will be allocated to expand the Community Investment Fund, enabling councillors to support grassroots projects such as woodland path reinstatements, the installation of new play equipment, and the development of other vital neighbourhood resources. This will bring the total investment through councillor-led initiatives to almost £4 million between 2024/25 and 2026/27.
Council Leader Rob Stewart emphasized the importance of the funding, noting its role in ensuring that community needs are met at every level. He highlighted that the investment builds on previous initiatives, including £8 million already directed toward upgrading over 60 play areas citywide.
“Residents told us they wanted more modern and accessible play areas, so we delivered,” said Cllr Stewart. “They asked for better access to skate parks, so we are building a citywide network. They said our sports changing rooms needed an upgrade, and we’re acting on that too.”
He underscored the critical role of local councillors in identifying and supporting small-scale projects that matter most to their communities. With the enhanced budget, councillors will have more resources to target initiatives that directly improve the quality of life in their wards.
Cllr Stewart also pointed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing cost-of-living challenges as key reasons why access to high-quality outdoor facilities is more vital than ever. “The pandemic demonstrated beyond doubt the importance of outdoor spaces for the wellbeing of families and communities,” he said. “This is the biggest investment in outdoor community play and sports facilities Swansea has seen in a generation.”
The investment package will be rolled out over the financial years 2024/25 to 2026/27, marking a transformative chapter in the city’s approach to community development and outdoor living.
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