State-of-the-art IT Centre opens in Dolwyddelan

Jul 28 2011 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

RESIDENTS in Dolwyddelan went surfing last week when they celebrated the opening of a new state-of-the-art IT centre.

The official opening of the Community IT Centre took place on Monday, July 18. The opening ceremony was carried out by the Community Computer Club and Dilwyn Price of Conwy’s Education dept.

The new centre, which recently received £113,000 in funding towards its build under the Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP) and supported by Conwy County Borough Council’s Small Capital Grant Scheme, Rural Community Chest Fund as well as the CVSC’s Small Capital Grant Scheme, is attached to the community centre and the primary school in the village.

This grass roots community-led project was developed as part of Menter Siabod’s ongoing community activities within the village. The project was designed through consultation with local stakeholders and has been developed mainly through professional volunteering support. It will provide the school with a new facility to expand intergenerational curriculum activities concerning ICT, as well as being a further facility for the community as a whole. This facility will help open up opportunities in developing social skills, emotional and mental stimulation and encourage people in to the workplace. It will also provide an opportunity for neighbouring communities to utilise this provision.

Bob Valintine, one of the Directors of Menter Siabod, said: “Thanks to the Welsh Government for this further investment in Dolwyddelan Community which will significantly enhance the sustainability of both the community and school.”

Mr Elis the Head teacher of Dolwyddelan primary school added: “The new IT Centre is going to be a valuable asset to the village and definitely to the school.”

Ian Chapman who volunteered his architectural services for the project and whose daughter attends the school added: “Our team at Seven Architecture are very proud to be involved with the new IT Centre at Ysgol Dolwyddelan and delighted with the completed building. We hope that this state-of-the-art facility will serve the community and school children well for many years to come.”

Cllr Liz Roberts emphasises that such a commitment demonstrates true community regeneration. She said: “This project and facility will not only be a resource to Dolwyddelan but also to our neighbouring communities. It is only by working in partnership together that rural areas will be truly sustainable.”

Helen McAteer, Menter Siabod’s Project Officer who has facilitated the computer club classes within the village, added: “This dedicated facility will now open up new avenues for further developing ICT skills within the community and will further expand on intergenerational projects with the first project in mind being a genealogy workshop using modern technology to record the history of play and industry over the years in Dolwyddelan.”