30-Aug-2001

In a joint initiative with Suffolk Coastal District Council, Felixstowe Town Council and Felixstowe Council for Sports and Recreation, the Port of Felixstowe has given a major boost to the much-needed improvement of play area facilities in Felixstowe. A donation of GBP10,000 from the Port has contributed significantly towards the refurbishment of several play areas within the town.

The newly refurbished Cavendish Park play area was formally opened in a ceremony today by Gemma Box of the Port of Felixstowe, in conjunction with Councillor Mrs. Doreen Savage, Chairman of Suffolk Coastal District Council. Many of the Port’s employees are parents, and Gemma, who works on Trinity Terminal, originally suggested the donation to Chris Gray, the Port’s Managing Director, as a tangible way in which the Port could contribute to the local community.

The renovation scheme has provided new slides, climbing frames and other apparatus. In addition, existing facilities have been refurbished to provide clean and well-equipped areas in which the town’s children can play.

Speaking at the opening of the newly refurbished Cavendish Park play area, Chris Gray said:

“One quarter of the town’s population is under the age of 15, and it is essential that they have somewhere safe to enjoy themselves. As the largest employer in the town, we are delighted to be involved with this major scheme, which has met this need.”

The Chairman of Suffolk Coastal District Council said of the initiative:

“For as long as I can remember skateboard and new play equipment have been high on the agenda of young people in Felixstowe. The completion of the new project represents the culmination of a great deal of hard work by many, many people over a long period of time. Young people in Felixstowe will have free access to superb new equipment across the town and a skateboard area installed to the latest safety standards. This has only been achieved through the dogged determination of all the partners involved in the project.”

In addition to the Cavendish Park play area, those at Langer Park, Allenby Park, Ferry Road and Coronation Sports Ground have also been refurbished in the scheme.