Cllr Cahal Burke campaigned for better recreational facilities for Lindley youngsters

At its recent meeting, Huddersfield Area Committee agreed to fund an upgrade of the multi use games area at the YMCA in Salendine Nook which is currently unusable due to being in a poor state of repair.

Following an increase in residents raising concerns about groups of youths congregating aimlessly along the Westbourne Road/New Hey Road corridor and reports of young people struggling to play football on New College playing fields using second hand light from the lights above the Colleges Astroturf pitches – Cllr Cahal Burke asked the Committee to explore setting up a agreement to improve the MUGA with Area Committee funds in exchange for the resources being made available to local young people on a regular basis.

This has now been achieved and in return for an investment of £4,867 the MUGA will be repaired, renovated and lit with the YMCA guaranteeing an amount of time that it will be available for use by local young people. Qualified Young People’s Workers will also provide at least one session of reorganised sports activities on the MUGA each week.

Cllr Cahal Burke said:

“To build a brand new games area such as this it would cost about £30K which is a lot at the moment. This smaller investment will provide what the young people need but at a much lower cost and the YMCA will be responsible for the upkeep of the MUGA from that point onwards. Hopefully those young people who are seeking something to do or have been struggling to play at night near the college will relocate to the YMCA to use a really excellent facility.”