£50,000 secured for Toronto recreation park
Work to transform the recreation ground in Toronto is set to start next month after residents secured the final £50,000 of funding.
The scheme will see the replacement of the existing play area with a new improved facility, the installation of a multi use games area and access improvements across the site. The project has been developed by Toronto Community Association and Groundwork North East over the last two years.
The £140,000 project had already seen funding secured from Section 106 funds and Durham County Council Urban Rural Renaissance Initiative.
And the final £50,000 required for the project has been secured from the Community Spaces programme, part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces Initiative. Hazel Watson, association chairperson, said she was “over the moon” at the news.
“It has been a long time coming and it is brilliant it is now going to happen,” she said. “We have never had anything like this in the village before and all the kids I have spoken to can’t wait.”
Work on the play area could be completed in time for Christmas, with the remaining work set to be carried out soon after.
Councillor Sam Zair said: “The scheme that is planned for Toronto will be of great benefit to the community as a whole and is richly deserved. It has been supported by the whole community and in particular Toronto Community Association who should be commended for their hard work to make the project a reality.”