New play areas for Townhill

6.00.00pm GMT Sun 18th Dec 2005

MUGA basketball & goal

Liberal Democrat led Eastleigh Borough Council have invested nearly £30,000 in a MUGA (or Multi-use Games Area for those not up on the latest local government jargon). This games area not only gives Townhill Junior school a valuable extra asset for the school children during daytime, it also gives an additional area for anyone to play games in at weekends and in the evenings.

MUGA in action

A simple system of gates allows the school grounds to be locked up in the evenings and at the weekend, as well as allowing the children to be protected during normal daytime use.

The low rotator

And of course it has the added benefit of giving young people a good space to exercise.

Commenting on this local councillor David Goodall said:

"This is just the sort of facility that local authorities should be investing in as in increases the community use of community assets like the school which would otherwise be utilised."

And he added:

"It is good to see too that the nearby play area has also been improved after consultation with the most important people of all - the kids who use it !"

The play area in question is the one in Carpathia Close and following consultation with some of the parents and children using the play area in it was decided to upgrade the play area by adding :-

• a trampette

• a spinning dish

• and a low rotator

The full program of works includes removing an old roundabout, installation of an additional gate and additional wet pour safe surfacing, as well as installing the new equipment. The total cost is about £20,000 and the works will be a great improvement to the play area.

To comply with the Disabilities Discriminations Act both play area entrances have been be painted in contrasting colours and of course all the equipment is subject to ROSPA Certification.