Visitors to Ynysangharad War Memorial Park will notice works activity from early January – towards the refurbishment of the bandstand and sunken garden areas, and delivery of a new activity centre, throughout 2022.

The significant £1.9m works will begin at the much-loved park in Pontypridd from Tuesday, January 4 (2022) – using funding secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and contributions from the Council and Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns funding.

The project will rejuvenate the heritage features of the Grade II Listed park, to help develop audiences and provide much-needed opportunities for learning, engagement and participation in the community. GKR Maintenance & Building Co. is the Council’s contractor to deliver the project, which will include:

A new training/activity centre, called Canolfan Calon Taf.
Refurbishment of the bandstand area.
Refurbishment of the sunken garden area.
New signage and interpretation.
An activity plan to encourage community involvement during and following works delivery.

Initial works in the New Year will include the contractor setting up its site, and establishing a depot/compound area near the orchard field and car park.

Site activity within the park may cause some unavoidable disruption to visitors throughout 2022, as work areas will be cordoned off by the contractor to ensure safety. However, the overall level of disruption is expected to be minimal, and the project will not affect the park’s seasonal opening hours.

Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services, said: “I’m very pleased that work to deliver this second major investment at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park will get underway in the New Year – to deliver £1.9m works that will protect the heritage features of the park. The Council is grateful to both the Heritage Lottery Fund and Welsh Government for their support, enabling us to deliver this project for the benefit of the residents and visitors to Pontypridd.

“Throughout 2021, the Council has delivered a separate £1.199m investment benefitting from significant Valleys Regional Park funding. It has provided a fully-equipped changing place facility at the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty – dedicated for the use of people with a disability. Footpaths have also been renewed right across the park, and LED streetlighting has been upgraded.

“Initial work starting in January will establish a site compound for a series of projects over the coming months – including refurbishment of the bandstand and sunken garden areas. This will restore some of the heritage areas of the park for which it is celebrated with Listed status, and also help to further place the landmark at the heart of the community via the new training/activity centre.

“I’m looking forward to seeing progress being made throughout 2022 across the latest investment programme. The Council will work closely with its contractor to ensure disruption is minimised, so visitors can continue to enjoy the public park while these important £1.9m improvements are made.”