Wrexham,North Wales - Play area destroyed by arsonists demolished

Published date: 08 January 2016 | 

Published by: Rory Sheehan 
Read more articles by Rory Sheehan Email reporter

AN ICONIC children’s play area will rise from the ashes “even better” after it was ravaged in an arson attack, according to it’s co-founder.

The wooden castle at The Venture on Garner Road, Caia Park was deliberately torched in the early hours of Wednesday morning, leaving it ruined beyond repair

The Venture’s chief officer, Councillor Malcolm King, who helped establish the play area in 1978 in response to youth crime and a lack of facilities in the area, has vowed to rebuild following the devastating attack.

He said: “The fire service are now clear that the fire was started deliberately.

 

Video and pictures by Craig Colville / NWN Media

“It is a very sad time for everyone involved with The Venture.

“The castle has been damaged beyond repair and is being demolished as what remains of it is very unsafe.

“Many young people have helped to build that castle over the last 15 years, and during that time many hundreds of young people have enjoyed playing on and in it, including using the art room and chill out room.

“In terms of the future, we will build another castle, and it will be an even better one.”

Wynnstay ward Cllr King added that the community would not be defeated by arsonists.

He issued a rallying call to the police and the public to stick together and “rid” the estate of the problem.

Cllr King said: “We have faced lots of challenges over the years at The Venture and overcome all of them, and this will be no different.

“In terms of catching the people who did this, hopefully all that needs to be done is already under way.

“Although the police and others have made some important progress in the last year, the job is clearly far from finished and the whole community of Caia Park have a right to expect better protection from agencies which have a statutory duty to provide that protection.

“We will all need to help each other to rid ourselves of the small number of people who are trying to ruin our community.”

On Wednesday, Rob Hill, deputy manager of The Venture estimated it would cost about £30,000 to replace the wooden structure and equipment, such as TVs, a hi-fi, furniture and art supplies that were stored inside.

Around 1,000 children aged five to 15 use The Venture, which is a registered charity with 15 staff members, as well as volunteers,

It offers football and netball teams, a youth club, homework and reading clubs, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for children aged 14 and above.

The blaze comes after The Venture received WREN funding to put a new roof on the castle and repair timber walkways nearby.

Renovations were due to start in the spring.

A North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman confirmed the blaze as being caused by “deliberate ignition.”

Inspr Simon Kneale, of North Wales Police, added: “We’re appealing to the local community or anyone who has information which could assist our investigation to come forward by calling u on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting incident number U002387.”

SEE-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/157043/wrexham-play-area-destroyed-by-arsonists-will-rise-from-the-ashes-even-better-.aspx