Parents draw up sport and leisure wish list (From Free Press Series)

Parents draw up sport and leisure wish list

PARENTS in Abergavenny campaigning for better leisure facilities for their children collected a 1,250 signature petition in the town centre on Saturday.

It calls on Monmouthshire County Council to provide facilities such as a skatepark, a multi-purpose track for cyclists, runners and in-line skaters, a cinema and swimming pool.

One of the parents, Helen Gunter, of Holywell Crescent, said: "We drew up the petition and took it along to see what interest there was and we were overwhelmed. We would like to thank everyone who stopped and took the trouble to sign."

Helen, who has an 11-year-old son, Thomas, said a committee of parents would be formed to boost the campaign.

Her partner, Gareth Knight, who has a 10-year-old son, David, added: "There are no facilities for children his age. We have the leisure centre but its access is limited and we want something closer to the town centre. We were pleased with the positive response we received from the public."

Mother-of-four Marion Pearce, of Park Street, said: "Abergavenny has so much to offer but there are very few facilities for children. We need a leisure centre on the cattle market site with a soft play area, a pool, bowling alley and cinema.

"I would like to see an artificial ski slope on the Coopers' site at Llanfoist and we need a sports education centre where children can train."

Margaret Jones, of Holywell Crescent, said her 14-year-old son was keen on sports. "He uses the leisure centre but he is too old for the summer playscheme. Young people his age need somewhere they can meet their friends and socialise."