CHILDREN in Ilminster are to benefit from major new sports facilities on the recreation ground this year – thanks to the town council’s £80,000 investment.

A new concrete skate park and a multi-use games area (MUGA), likely to cost about £140,000, will be installed on the site in the spring.

The investment follows an increase in the town council precept and is aided by £35,000 of funding from South Somerset District Council, with other grant applications to be made.

The council is seeking the opinions of young people in the town, who will be the main group to benefit from the facilities.

Town council finance chairman Cllr David Miller said: “The council installed the original skate park in 2002, which proved very popular but insufficiently robust.

“Following our experience we are confident the new skateboard equipment will be well used and it also demonstrates our commitment to the younger generation.”

Councillors met staff and pupils at Swanmead Community School to discuss plans for the facilities – and the children have offered to help fundraising efforts.

A team then met manufacturers to ensure the new development is safe and strong, and to discuss possible locations for the MUGA – identifying a space between the skate park and the toilets.

Cllr Miller added: “At a cost of less than 60% to the council we are convinced that this represents a good deal for the town.”

The facilities will be officially opened in the summer.