15.06.05
Mevagissey Activity Centre

The project, which has involved the area around Mevagissey for the past 5 years, has now secured funding to enable an activity centre to be built that will benefit the whole area, including Gorran, Gorran Haven, St Ewe, Pentewan and of course Mevagissey itself.

It has now secured investment from the Rural Renaissance Fund and Objective One through the ERDF. This is a major coup for Mevagissey and is the culmination of years of work. The latest investment amounts of over £325,000 are additional to the £583,007 from Sport England and the Big Lottery funds.

Restormel Borough Council gave the original £150,000 to get the scheme its vital first support and two charities working jointly have raised £55,000 locally. These are The Mevagissey Playing Field and Mevagissey on the Move Committees. The total project costs amount to over £1,250,000. Work is to commence shortly and finish in the New Year 2006.

It will have an emphasis on services provided for young people, the economically inactive and the elderly. It will allow access to a range of services including training, business advice, vocational courses, employment skills, youth advice, healthy living sessions and outreach health services. In addition to these there will be three business units and an information resource centre.

The Active England programme will enable the three clubs already functioning, (football, tennis and bowling) to have changing facilities, showers and a social area with a large community hall. The aim is to increase sporting facilities to improve health and to drive up the participation in sport. The mix at this 'Hub' club is to provide a valuable asset to regenerate the area and has always been seen as a regeneration scheme in its own right. It marks the start of other initiatives throughout the areas to improve the quality of life for all.

The playing field has along its length the National Cycle trail and is close to the Coastal Path. These will also be targeted to use the centre as a base with which to explore the area and its links to The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

A dedicated band of local people after several disappointments with failed applications and buildings bought by developers whilst they tried to raise funds to buy have, with the wholehearted support of the Restormel Borough Councils' Regeneration Team now succeeded. They pay tribute to all their supporters and helpers for backing them but in particular Sport England, Restormel BC, RCP and Government Office for the South West, all who gave time to help. These awards are hard won against fierce competition and represent the only award in Cornwall from the Active England Programme.

For further information please contact A. Hooper on 01726 842512, or Kate Berrington of Sport England 020 7273 1862.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Mevagissey Activity Centre through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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