Aberystwyth Town Council will investigate whether £15,000 lighting at the town’s skate park would be value for money to boost use during the winter, while plans for new murals at the site have also been hatched.

The revamped Aberystwyth skatepark and community area on Boulevard St Brieuc officially opened to the public in December 2017 following a £440,000 grant secured in late 2016.

Named Parc Kronberg, it has been widely used ever since.

At a General Management Committee meeting last month, Aberystwyth town councillors received correspondence from a member of the public “requesting the installation of lighting at Parc Kronberg to enable greater use of the facility during the winter months and darker evenings.”

Members discussed the potential benefits of improved accessibility and increased community use of the skate park, minutes from the meeting said.

An initial estimate suggested that installation costs could be in the region of £10,000 to £15,000, although “further investigation would be required to provide accurate costs”, the meeting heard.

“Consideration was also given to the availability of existing street lighting in the area, ongoing running costs, maintenance requirements, potential light pollution and opportunities for external grant funding,” council minutes added.

“Members agreed that further information was needed before any decision could be made and that councillors should visit in the evening to assess the need for lighting.

“It was agreed that if sufficient councillors considered that lighting was necessary, officers would undertake further investigation into the feasibility of installing lights, including costs, running expenses, potential funding sources, practicality, and potential light pollution.”

Elsewhere at the meeting, three art students from Aberystwyth University presented a proposal to create murals at Parc Kronberg as part of a project linked to their Fine Art degree.

Members heard that the aim of the project was to make the skate park a “brighter and more welcoming space, whilst celebrating the identity of Aberystwyth through artwork.”

The students outlined a number of potential themes to councillors for the murals, including Welsh culture, local landmarks, nautical elements and the town’s twinning links with Kronberg.

The meeting heard that the designs remain at the concept stage and that no final artwork had yet been agreed.

The students sought the council’s support in principle for the project and permission to develop proposals for artwork at the skate park, minutes from the meeting said.

They advised that draft designs would be prepared and shared with the council for consideration before any work commenced.

The students also noted that they saw the project as a community service, and were happy to self-fund it, however support towards the cost of materials would be appreciated.

Councillors welcomed the proposal and “emphasised the importance of engaging with the local skating community” as the project develops.

Councillors recommended to proceed with the proposal and that an on-site meeting be arranged with the students and members of the skating community prior to the finalisation of any designs.