A place of their own for toddlers & teens

A place of their own for toddlers & teens - Last month saw the official opening by the Mayor of Northampton of the long-awaited multi-use ballcourt and toddlers' playground, complementary community facilities in Bellinge.

Last month saw the official opening by the Mayor of Northampton of the long-awaited multi-use ballcourt and toddlers' playground, complementary community facilities in Bellinge.

The ballcourt, designed and constructed using Wicksteed's Wildcats Premier modular system is robust and vandal-resistant – its vibrant colours being attractive to older children and teenagers. The playground, for the under fives, is also built to last and includes Tom Thumb, a multi-play unit from Wicksteed's Nursery Rhymes range, a Wicksteed Double Arch Swing and a selection of Spring Mobiles.

These twin installations were funded from the Northampton East regeneration budget and by Northampton Borough Council as part of the CASPAR (Crime & Anti-social Behaviour Partnership) project. Joining the Borough Council in this initiative are the County Council and the Northamptonshire Police. As suppliers, Wicksteed Leisure made a significant contribution to the team effort, including technical advice, site surveys, play area design and product manufacture, as well as equipment and safety surfacing installation.

Part of a wider project that includes the Blackthorn, Briar Hill, Semilong and King's Heath localities in Northampton, the significance of the provision of sport and play equipment to Bellinge and surrounding areas cannot be overstated.

Andrea McAuliffe, who runs the nearby Bellinge Community House, enthused, "Both facilities have been welcomed with open arms by local people and they are widely used. Teenagers appreciate having somewhere of their own to be, whilst parents are grateful for a place to take their little ones to play in a safe environment. The playground is also used regularly by the Bellinge Community Pre-school and Mums & Tots groups."

The Wicksteed Ballcourt is playing its part as a bridge across communities, too, according to Andrea. "It has helped turn antagonism between various groups of youngsters into friendly rivalry. The Sports Development Officer of the Borough Council is currently planning and encouraging more structured activities, such as local leagues, with the Ballcourt as their venue. Parents from neighbouring areas also avail themselves of the toddlers' playground. All of this is helping to raise spirits and improve the quality of life for the people of Bellinge, a community which has experienced serious social problems in the past."

The Wicksteed Wildcats Premier Ballcourt is a place youngsters call their own