WARRINGTON’S largest play area is to be officially opened next Monday, July 27 – the first milestone in the £30 million Orford Park project
The brand new facility will open with what aims to be the biggest picnic in the town from 12 noon onwards.
The day will feature loads of free entertainment for children and young people including face painting, badge making, circus skills and story telling.
There will also be free give aways and goody bags for children donated by Sainsbury’s and Wicksteeds.
Parents and carers haven’t been forgotten in the fun stakes – they will have the chance to win a picnic hamper and play equipment in a free prize draw.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, the borough council’s executive member for children’s services said: “I am really looking 
forward to this launch event and hope that the weather is fine and bright so as many people as possible can come along and not only see this wonderful facility but try it out for themselves!”
This project has been funded by the a £200,000 from The Big Lottery, £65,000 from the the government funding and £125 000 from WREN.
Local councillors Mike and Kate Hannon will officially open the park.
The Orford Park Project was first approved some 18 years ago.
Fifty acres of land in a high profile location next to the A49 Winwick Road will be transformed into a valuable community asset providing a wide variety of leisure, health and education facilities on one site.
There will be football pitches, library, health centre and numerous other facilities.
The sports village will not only provide a focal point for the local community and boost local pride and identity, it will also represent a London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games legacy for the North West.
Partners in the scheme include Warrington Borough Council, the North West Development Agency, Sport England, the Football Foundation, Warrington Town FC, NHS Warrington, William Beamont High School and Warrington Collegiate.
The community sports village is scheduled to open in November 2011 and will provide a blueprint for the delivery of future community sports facilities which is transferable nationwide.
Picture: an artist’s impression of the Orford Park Project “sports village”
