Major revamps of Whinfield Rec and Rokeby ready for school summer holidays

Rugby Borough Council's parks and grounds team spearheaded work on both refurbishment projects, working with residents through a series of public consultations to draw up plans for the revamps.

The £160,000 refurbishment of Whinfield Rec's play area includes a range of new equipment, including basket, cradle and 'Tango' face-to-face swings, seesaws, wheelchair-friendly roundabout, climbing wall and slides.

The revamp also includes a sand-based play area for toddlers, including a scramble net, digger, sand crane and bucket, and a sand chute.

In addition, the recreation ground's multi-use games area (MUGA) has been refurbished, including the installation of new side panels with mini football goals.

The revamp of Rokeby Open Space includes a new play area, MUGA, new paths and landscaping, together with open space for ball games.

New play equipment includes flat, crade and Tango face-to-face swings, wheelchair-friendly roundabout, rope climber and scramble net, climbing wall, seesaw, swing-rotator, climbing frame and a 'toddler tower', including balcony and slide.

The new MUGA includes football goals, cricket panels, basketball hoops and side panels with mini football goals.

The £160,000 refurbishment at Rokeby, funded by Section 106 contributions, also includes a range of measures to boost biodiversity, including meadow areas and the planting of new, native hedgerows, set to take place later this year.

Cllr Howard Roberts, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for leisure and wellbeing, said: "The council has long understood the importance of investing in quality parks and open spaces for our communities, and we have pushed ahead with our programme of improvements despite the challenges presented by the pandemic.

"We're delighted work on the refurbishments at Whinfield Rec and Rokeby Open Space has been completed in time for the end of lockdown restrictions and the start of the school break, giving children and young people the opportunity to get out and get active this summer."