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Pan Muga Set To Reopen For Newport Community

After eight years of being closed, the Pan MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) is to re-open to the local community this weekend.

An official opening will take place on Saturday (February 1) at 10.30am.

Located on a site shared with Barton Primary School, just off Downside Recreation Ground, the Community Council has arranged for repairs and improvements to what had become an increasingly derelict facility over the years.

Pan & Barton's IW Cllr, Geoff Brodie, and neighbouring Fairlee IW Cllr, Matthew Price (a governor at Barton school), have been instrumental in securing this re-opening after years of negotiations and securing funds.

The MUGA will not only offer free access during out of school hours to the local community but will also be bookable by local sports groups for part of the time.

Bookings can be made via the Community Council.

Cllrs Brodie and Price will join Community Cllr for Pan & Barton, Joanne Ballington, to open the MUGA on Saturday.

Cllr Brodie said:

"At last - local kids will no longer have to scale the high fence to get into the MUGA, which was originally provided back in 2007 as a school and community facility, but closed by the school in 2017.

"My thanks to Cllr Price for his assistance in getting this re-opened, through his advocacy with the schools this is happening.

"Also, thanks to all the staff at the Community Council who have worked hard to get this outcome, including doing most of the repairs and improvements themselves.

"Cllr Ballington and I are entirely delighted that this is happening."

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