Celebrating investment in Yr Aelwyd - Blaenau Ffestiniog Community and Youth Centre

A special ceremony was recently held in Blaenau Ffestiniog to celebrate the completion of a project supported by Cyngor Gwynedd, in which Antur Stiniog led a major upgrade scheme. Yr Aelwyd building has now been transformed into a modern community and youth centre for the town.

Yr Aelwyd (formerly known as Aelwyd yr Urdd) has been a hub for social activities for decades, hosting dances, concerts, a Youth Club and coffee mornings. However, due to a significant deterioration in the condition of the building, it could no longer be used.

As part of Antur Stiniog's vision to regenerate the town centre, an opportunity presented itself to invest in Yr Aelwyd as part of the Llewyrch o'r Llechi scheme; a cultural investment programme funded by the UK Government and led by Cyngor Gwynedd, securing its future as a valuable community resource.

Hefin Hamer, Chair of Antur Stiniog, said:

"The Antur’s property work offers us the opportunity to renovate assets that are vital to our community, as an important resource for our future. This creates spaces where the young people of Ffestiniog, along with a network of community initiatives and societies, can make use of Yr Aelwyd.

“We look forward to seeing organisations return and offer opportunities here in the centre of the town. As Chair of Antur Stiniog, I would like to thank Cyngor Gwynedd, through the Llewyrch o'r Llechi project, for the opportunity to create an innovative energy-efficient hub that celebrates our heritage and paves the way for a prosperous future.”

The scheme is part of a series of improvements arising from the designation of the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site, which uses this global status to stimulate economic and social development.

Further investments in the area included:

• Creating a new multi-sport area in Y Parc area – a free resource for the whole community.
• Installing a stunning slate mural in the town centre depicting historical elements such as the zig-zag path, slate tips, Maenofferen Mill and the "car gwyllt" (wild car), completed by local company Original Roofing Company.
• Constructing a new active travel route between the town and Llechwedd Quarry, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists along the A470.

 Further plans are underway in the town, including the redevelopment of Siop Ephraim and Bolton Café into community assets, as well as improvements to the town's infrastructure – such as new signage, bins and benches.

Councillor Medwyn Hughes, Cyngor Gwynedd's Cabinet Member for Economy and Community said:

"We are delighted to be able to support regeneration efforts like this in the slate valleys, by enabling communities to take pride in their heritage while also making a positive visual difference to town centres.

“Such investments contribute to the growth of vibrant communities where young people can have fun, develop and thrive. They are a key part of our culture for the future.”

For more information about the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site visit: www.llechi.cymru