Vice-Chancellor visits Grange Pavilion

Cardiff University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan, recently visited Grange Pavilion to meet the people behind University engagement project Community Gateway that is forging partnerships across the community of Grangetown.

The Community Gateway team, working closely with Grange Pavilion Project and Grangetown Community Action, has just been successful in securing a £50,000 Big Lottery Fund development grant to develop ideas for an old bowls pavilion and green in Grangetown.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan, Director of Communications & Marketing Claire Sanders and Professor Amanda Coffey, Pro Vice Chancellor, Student Experience and Academic Standards, visited the pavilion to hear from the project team and some of the local partners who are making a real difference in the community.

They heard about plans to transform the old bowls pavilion into a thriving venue for the whole community and how University-community partnership working has helped to develop a Grangetown business forum; worked with Grangetown Community Action and emergency services to launch a community safety week; helped set up a running club, a youth forum and mental health awareness days;  and supported a street party to bring neighbours closer together.

Mhairi McVicar, Community Gateway's Project Lead said:

"It was fantastic to receive such positive support for the project from the Vice-Chancellor and we are thrilled that we have had a chance to introduce him to some of our partners and colleagues that have been key in making Community Gateway such a success. We are very much looking forward to the next five years and what they might hold for the project. Thanks to all those that took time out to be part of today's visit."

The recently awarded Big Lottery Fund development grant will allow Cardiff University and community partners Grange Pavilion Project and Grangetown Community Action to develop the second stage funding application that includes architectural plans and achieving planning permission to fully renovate and extend the building and cultivate the outdoor space, creating a top-quality and fully accessible venue for the long-term use of the people of Grangetown.

The application is to be submitted in September with outcomes due in February 2018, the Community Gateway team, Cardiff University, community partners and residents look forward to collaborating on the next stage of the bid and developing and advancing ideas for the long-term future of the Grange Pavilion.