Playground & Pump Track Opened at Churchill Road Recreation Ground
Saturday 3rd of October saw the official opening of phase one and two of the seven stages of development at Churchill Road Recreation Ground development. COGNEWS editor Lori went along to report.
Youngsters and their families gathered with local councillors to try out the new spaces and enjoy refreshments. It was officially opened by Chair of SMDC, Councillor Linda Malyon, who told the youngsters that they had three people to thank for this facility—mainly Ian Plant, Kate Mills, and Paulette Upton. She explained to the youngsters that they were all on the town council and had worked really, really hard to help get the funding for both the play area and the pump track, which amounted to around £120,000. She asked the youngsters if they were all going to use it. She then encouraged the youngsters to enjoy it and declared the new park open.
Speaking with COGNEWS after the official opening, Cllr Ian Plant said that this has been a long time in coming and they had been working on it. Both he and Cllr Kate Mills started the project about 5 years ago, which just matured from there. "We've just been looking for the cash flow and worked hard to secure the equipment," he said. "We know there are going to be a few teething problems, as with anything else really, but we'll just keep adding things. A few people have mentioned that they would like a few more picnic benches."
They are not stopping with the two facilities; there are more things to do. They will continue to work on it, and they will get it done. He's expecting everything to be completed in the next two years.
Development in the pipeline includes the football pitches and the MUGA, with changing facilities and hopefully some toilets. There should be a walking track all the way around the park, with the car park being one of the last things to do because if they have any heavy machinery on the site, then they wouldn't want a new car park to be damaged in the process. Everything is looking good and rosy. When asked if there was anything he wanted to tell our readers, he said, "No, just come down and enjoy it."
Mayor Phil Routledge said, "I'm really happy with the Pump Track seeing all the kids enjoying themselves - that's what it's all about. Not about civic dignitaries cutting ribbons, the main thing is the kids who are here enjoying themselves and we must have about 25 kids here on a Saturday morning, not on a computer but enjoying the outdoors, that's what matters. This is a big change for Churchill Road Rec as up until recently it was not used. It's giving them the opportunity to meet friends and make new ones from little dots to bigger kids playing together, integrating quite a big age group and that's fab."
The Lady Mayoress Zenobia Routledge told us about the play area, "There are a couple of benches for food and a disabled swing to enable kids who might be in a wheelchair to enjoy the experience of swinging safely. There is also a wheelchair accessible play area and sensory boards too." The Lord Mayor and father to Zenobia said, "You can pack some sandwiches and come and enjoy the play area and pump track for a few hours making it a very cheap and pleasant few hours out."
Mayoress and Deputy Planning Lead Zenobia Routledge continued, "It's just nice to see the kids using it. Instead of the play equipment that was tired, this is something that all ages and abilities can use, with different skill levels on the pump track, and it's just lovely to have it for everybody now."
It was a lovely sunny day, and children were able to enjoy the newly completed pump track and play area, which included toddler and disabled facilities and a quiet area with a road track where little ones could bring their ride-ons, etc., and experience their own version of a roadway.
One resident asked if a double gate could be placed on the play area to prevent the risk of youngsters crossing the car park which is adjacent to the play park. Cllr Z Routledge said she would look into it.
The controversy around the build continues with a row breaking out on social media when three Reform Councillors put out an AI-generated post of themselves sitting on bikes at the track. District Cllr Matt Spooner saw red and took to the keyboard to express his displeasure at Reform councillors seemingly claiming the development to be their work. Public opinion is split as to whether it was a humorous post intended to draw people to the event or if it was, as Cllr Spooner said, Reform councillors claiming that the development was their work. Unfortunately, Cllr Spooner was not in attendance for us to ask for further comment on the day. Deputy Mayor Jase Jervis (left in the above image) told COGNEWS, "The images were just a lighthearted post of three councillors showcasing the new pump track. Our intent was to encourage young and old to come along to the opening of the new, much-needed facilities in the park. I apologize to anyone who may have interpreted this differently than we intended."
Some of you may recall from our previous articles that elements of this work were not conducted as expected - our investigation continues.
New Playground and Pump Track Now Open at Churchill Road Recreation Ground
