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Welsh Assembly fitness grants awarded
Grants from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Active Lifestyles fund have begun to be awarded to various fitness schemes across the country.
The Assembly earmarked £4m to fund a host of projects designed to encourage physical activity in September last year and regions across Wales are starting to reap the benefits.
Cardiff, for example, has been awarded £333,500 –which will be put towards a BMX track and a climbing facility – while Newport secured £137,600 of funding, which will finance improvements to an amateur boxing club.
Alan Pugh, minister for culture, Welsh language and sport, said: “We want more people to live healthy and independent lives and that means taking exercise more often. “This doesn’t have to be an expensive gym membership – it could be walking, cycling or taking part in a class at your local community centre.
“We want to remove barriers to people taking exercise and make it easier for people to be active close to home.”
Funding is being allocated though Sports Council Wales and the Forestry Commission, who are still receiving applications for grants.
Other areas of Wales that have capitalised on the funding opportunities include Gwynedd, Denbighshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly and Glamorgan.
Allocations so far have ranged from just under £400,000 to £75,000 with the Forestry Commission receiving a total of £200,000. Details: www.wales.gsi.gov.uk