A BLAENAU FFESTINIOG mum is calling for more facilities for children in the town, after the closure of the youth club, crazy golf and tennis court.

Mandy Williams told the Cambrian News she also no longer feels safe letting her 10-year-old daughter use the skatepark, and claims there is nothing else for youngsters to do.

She said: “Here in Blaenau our youth club had over 100 members, and was open three nights a week.

“Closure of our club meant all of these members had nothing to do during the evenings.

“It’s led to them building dens in woodland and then being accused of criminal damage and littering, and people calling them yobs.

“Then, during coronavirus they are fined £60 when spotted walking the streets not staying two metres apart.

“All that remains is a skate park that should be condemned. Or better still replaced so that they have something.

“Other than that, they have a park with a crazy golf course which is locked and out of use, a tennis court not in use with the gates locked, a wooden climbing frame that’s not fit for purpose, and a park that is now locked come 8pm every evening.

“They have nothing.

“I refuse to allow my 10-year-old to play in either without me being there to watch over her. I sit and I cringe at accidents waiting to happen.

“I’ve bought ropes for rope swings and taken my daughter to, as I did when young, swing from a tree branch. Yet I was accused of littering, You just can’t win.

“The alternative is to keep her locked indoors, because I don’t feel safe allowing her to join others in a park that needs fixing and upgrading, or a rusty old skate park over a busy main road.

“It is not good enough.

“The cuts are cuts are leaving our kids at a loss and with nothing given back as an alternative.

“Our children have lost so very much this last year, and are given nothing back by the local government.

“My question is mainly, why can’t our kids in Blaenau be given better by Gwynedd Council, regardless of cuts?”

Gwynedd Council said the skatepark site is leased out to the town council.

A spokesperson for Ffestiniog Town Council said: “The town council is committed to the safety of its young people, and we arrange for all park equipment and play areas to be inspected monthly, and fix any dangers that arise.

“The town council also undertakes the more detailed yearly inspection undertaken by Rospa, for extra safety.

“The skate park is freely accessible with a walk path to the side which is always open, and definitely not locked.

“At the park itself, the crazy golf and tennis court is tied to the café located on site.

“Due to Covid-19 restrictions, this café was forced to close, hence unfortunately the closure of the crazy golf and tennis court.

“The town council is currently working on recruiting a new café tenant, so that both services at the park can reopen.”