Lots of new play equipment is about to be installed at Rugby's Whinfield Rec - including climbing wall and sand area

Work on a major refurbishment of the play area at Whinfield Recreation Ground is set to start next week - with work on a revamp of Rokeby Open Space to follow next month.

The masterplans for both refurbishments were drawn up by Rugby Borough Council after a series of public consultations, with the revamp of the Whinfield Rec play area featuring an array of new equipment - including basket and cradle swings, seesaws, wheelchair-friendly roundabout, climbing wall and slides.

The new play area also includes a sand-based play area for toddlers, including a scramble net, sand crane and bucket, and a sand chute.

The work at Whinfield includes a refurbishment of the multi-use games area (MUGA), including the installation of new side panels with mini football goals.

Weather permitting, work on the council-funded £160,000 revamp looks set to be finished in eight weeks.

At Rokeby Open Space, work includes a new play area, MUGA and landscaping, together with open space for ball games.

New play equipment includes toddler and junior swings, wheelchair-friendly roundabout, rope climber and scramble net, climbing wall, seesaw, swing-rotator, climbing frame and a 'toddler tower', including balcony and slide.

The new MUGA includes football goals, cricket panels, and basketball hoops and backboards.

The plans for Rokeby Open Space also include a range of measures to boost biodiversity, including meadow areas and the planting of new, native hedgerows later this year.

Work on the £160,000 Rokeby revamp looks set to take ten weeks to complete, weather permitting. The project has been funded by Section 106 contributions.

Cllr Howard Roberts, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for environment and public realm, said: "We have worked closely with residents to make sure our refurbishment plans meet the needs of our communities, and we're delighted to now be in a position to start turning the plans into reality.

"Despite the pandemic and long spells in lockdown, we have carried on with our commitment to improving the borough's parks and open spaces, completing new skateparks at Whitehall Rec and Hollowell Well play area, and expanding the Park Connector Network.

"With a roadmap to the end of Covid-19 restrictions now in place and spring on its way, we can all start to look forward to enjoying our green spaces together in the not too distant future."