A project to renovate Abergynolwyn Children’s Play Area has secured £5,000 of funding from Calor Gas as part of their Rural Community Fund scheme.

The venture is one of 21 winners of financial support from the Calor fund, which invests in projects seeking to improve the lives of rural communities.

Abergynolwyn’s local council will receive the money, which covers over half the cost of new infrastructure for the park. The remaining amount will be covered by funds from Gwynedd Council.

The venture was chosen by a panel of judges after receiving more than 3,000 votes.

The future had been unclear due to safety concerns and deterioration over time, but funding from Calor Gas will be invested in developing new infrastructure, with a particular focus on providing new and safe flooring for the playground.

Eileen Jones, clerk of Llanfihangel y Pennant Community Council, was behind the push for funding along with friend Sue Wolfe. She said they were “over the moon” with winning the money.

“The funding is hugely important because the play area is at the centre of Abergynolwyn, and is a community hub for the village”, she added.

Eileen said it was initially “hard going in a small area to collect votes”, but that they eventually secured enough support to progress to the judged stage.

The project was announced as a winner at 2pm on 18 July.

The community celebrated their success with a small party in the park.

Sue said: “People who have holiday cottages there really feel like it’s their village, so it’s a bigger community than you might imagine.

“We’re so lucky to have such an active community, and this should help sustain that for years to come.”

Work at the park will start once the community council receives the grant, and should be completed by the end of the year.