Riccall Recreation Development Group is delighted to be able to announce that a grant of just under £24,000 has been awarded by ‘Community Spaces,’ to complete phase 4 of the development of Riccall Recreation Ground.
The Community Spaces grants programme is being managed by Groundwork UK as an Award Partner to the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces initiative.
This grant, along with contributions from Riccall Parish Council and local fundraising, has meant that phase 4 has been able to go ahead.
An enclosed pre-school area has just been installed and is situated next to the existing junior area. It includes a tree frog springer, horse springer, loudspeaker, spinner, Little Hamlet (multi-use tower), ’Big Bump’ wigwam and cradle swings. The area is fenced and is protected by safer grass tiles. Additionally, a Birds Nest Seat has been situated near to the existing aerial slide. This is a large swinging cradle and is designed to be used by small groups of children, who want to swing together and is also ideal for children who might be less able to use traditional swings. The old swing frame at the front of the Recreation Ground has been removed with the safety surfacing preserved, in order to create a hop-scotch area or snakes and ladders grid in the future. The total cost of phase 4 is £32,000 with the mix of equipment being based on the results of the consultation that took place in Riccall last year.
The installation of phase 4 has completed the re-development of Riccall Recreation Ground. Over the last 5 years £142,000 has been raised through various funding bodies including The Big Lottery – Young People’s Fund, Living Spaces, Riccall Parish Council, Selby DC Mon£y 4 U, NYCC Community Fund, Groundwork Selby, NYCC Selby area committee and now Community Spaces. This funding has allowed the installation of an enclosed junior play area, aerial slide, Kompan roundabout, sports wall, teen meeting area and skatepark. Riccall Parish Council has worked in partnership with the Recreation Group to deliver each phase, giving both moral and financial support.
Howard Adamson, Chair of Riccall Recreation Development Group said,’ 'The completion of the final phase of the development of Riccall Recreation Ground has given the village a facility that is second to none in the Selby district. The Recreation Ground will be a boon to the community both now and for many years to come. We should all be proud of it.'
Lindsey Ryan, Secretary of the group said, ‘It has been hard work over the last five years but very worthwhile. The re-development of Riccall Recreation Ground goes to show how anything is possible with an active community and a lot of determination. The group is very grateful to all of the funders who have supported us and been involved in creating this fantastic recreational area.’
A launch day to celebrate the completion of this major project is being planned for Saturday 12th September, with further details to follow.
From autumn, the Recreation Development Group will be concentrating its efforts on the development of Westfield in Riccall for junior football facilities.
